Australia Australia - Annette Mason, 15, Toowoomba, Qld, 19 Nov 1989

[Kaie]

The reason this thread went so quiet, is that the inquest is currently on hold while advanced DNA testing is taking place. That sounds really hopeful. Stay tuned, the case will be back in the news, and justice may finally come for Annette.

 

[Kaie]

Here's an article from last week. It states that authorities are expecting the new DNA results in July.

DNA testing brings fresh hope in tragic schoolgirl murder mystery
(The Courier Mail, 10 May 2019)

 

[Kaie]

For those who live in Australia... the latest story on Annette's case will be featured on Nine News on Monday (8 July).

 

[Bohemian]

‘A person of interest in the 1989 murder of Toowoomba teenager Annette Mason claims he is innocent and his reputation has been tarnished.

Michael Laine took to the stand at an inquest into Annette’s death late last year, as a person of interest in her murder.’

Annette Mason person of interest denies teen’s cold case murder

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I searched for a thread for Linda Reed, but looks like there isn't one. Did find her case was mentioned here.
So here is the latest news.

Man pleads guilty over 1983 Gold Coast rape and murder of Linda Reed

The man accused of raping and killing Gold Coast woman Linda Reed in one of the state's oldest cold case murders has pleaded guilty before it was revealed he had killed another woman two years later.
After 35 years, police arrested and charged Troy James O'Meara, 54, in 2018.

Two years after killing Ms Reed, the court was told he murdered another woman, Vanessa O'Brien, 22, in similar circumstances in Brisbane.

He was arrested in July 1985 and was serving a mandated life sentence.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Inquest to recommence as early as next month. Family are clinging to hope.

https://www.thechronicle.com.au/tru...e/news-story/12b0b0f80a99142fe8e96f33b1ca6edf

Behind a PayWall

 

[TootsieFootsie]

DNA evidence from Annette Mason crime scene went missing before it could be analysed, inquest hears

A yellow sheet and chewing gum found at the crime scene involving the 1989 bludgeoning death of 15-year-old Annette Mason went missing before they could be analysed for DNA, a coronial inquest has been told.

 

[Kaie]

DNA evidence from Annette Mason crime scene went missing before it could be analysed, inquest hears

A yellow sheet and chewing gum found at the crime scene involving the 1989 bludgeoning death of 15-year-old Annette Mason went missing before they could be analysed for DNA, a coronial inquest has been told.

I'm without words right now. This is just beyond distressing. Upset and angry.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Qld coroner threatens witness with perjury

A witness whose identity has been suppressed has lashed out at an inquest into the murder of a Queensland teenager, claiming he was being "railroaded".

The witness was grilled for over an hour and continued to deny his previous statements.

A frustrated coroner reminded the witness he was compelled to tell the truth or risk perjury charges.

 

[Kaie]

It's the final day of the inquest. They were scheduled to start today 10am. It's about 11.15am our time now. There will be significant news reports later today.

 

[Kaie]

I spoke too soon, there's been an adjournment. So that's it until 5 April.

Mason family devastated as inquest delayed

 

[Kaie]

This inquest is back in session in the Coroners Court in Brisbane right now. It's 10.45am here, and it would have started about 45 minutes ago.

 

[Kaie]

There are suppression orders in place today, so we may not hear much about today's session after all. The inquest is back in session tomorrow.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Witness denies Qld teen's 1989 murder

An inquest witness has denied being involved in Queensland teenager Annette Mason's murder in 1989, saying there were "lots of rumours" following her death.

The man - who can't be identified for legal reasons - rejected numerous claims he was heard confessing to the murder, describing one person who had made the suggestion as "junkie, lowlife scum".