GUILTY Australia - Daniel Morcombe, 13, Woombye, QLD, 7 Dec 2003 - #1

[Fuskier]

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
The child was seven. Coerced by Cowan into a toilet. Byrne is revealing awful details of the assault on the boy. Cowan was 18. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 13s
Cowan abused 7yo boy in Brisbane in 1987, "eerie similarities" to #morcombe case

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 24s
Judge says it shows the criminal justice system working. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 29s
Convicted in 1989 of indecent dealing with a child. Byrne says there were "eerie similarities" between that case and this one. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 12s
Judge says she knew some of Cowan's prior history, while jury didn't. "Reassuring in this case is the jury convicted on evidence. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 30s
He then breached his probation. March 1989 was the first occasion he was imprisoned. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 20s
He was unremarkably dealt with given it was his first offence. Probation and fined. A month later, stealing and false pretences. #morcombe

Tessa Scott ‏@TessaScott9 40s
Justice Atkinson says jury convicted on evidence not criminal history shows system "working at its finest" @9NewsBrisbane

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 33s
Byrne says Cowan has convictions including break and enter, unlawful use of a motor vehicle from when he was 17 years old. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
She says it really shows the justice system is working. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Justice Atkinson says what's reassuring in this case is that the jury convicted on the evidence, not having known his criminal history.

 

[they'll get you]

ABC24 sentence submissions about to start but not expected to hear sentencing for a couple of days

Justice Atkinson handed a copy of Cowan's previous history

ABC24 said sentencing will be about Cowan's previous history

please give him life away from us.
lease:

 

[Fuskier]

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 25s
The jury is in the back row of the public gallery listening to Cowan's criminal past for the first time. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 40s
Mr Byrne says "It holds some eerie similarities to this present matter." #morcombe @abcnews

Tegan George ‏@tegangeorge 10s
#Morcombe: Graphic details of Cowan's history being read in court. Crown says it was an "eerie premonition" of what was to come @tennewsqld

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 21s
Byrne is detailing other offences, drugs housebreaking etc. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 26s
Crown says Cowan convicted in 1989 for indecent dealing with a 7-year-old boy. Cowan was 18 at the time. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 37s
Cowan was sentenced to two years in jail for the sexual assault on the boy. Byrne says "an eerie premonition of what would occur later".

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 34s
Boy was found staggering into a service station dazed and distressed. #morcombe @abcnews

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 43s
Cowan lured a 6-year-old boy into scrub and molested him before dumping him in an old car. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 51s
The boy suffered "very serious injuries", Byrne says. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 30s
Byrne is telling the court horrific details of the NT assault. The child was injured when Cowan "dumped" him inside rusting cars. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 1m
Prosecutors describing Cowan's depraved history of randomly snatching, sexually abusing boys. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 2m
Cowan asked the boy if he wanted to go for a walk. Took him to a bush track near the caravan park to some wrecked cars. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 2m
The boy was six at the time. Living in the same caravan park as Cowan. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 8s
The boy was six at the time. Living in the same caravan park as Cowan. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 14s
He was sentenced to seven years in prison. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 50s
Mr Byrne now talks about Cowan's sentence in 1994 in Darwin for GBH, deprivation of liberty and gross indecency. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Cowan was convicted in 94 of unlawfully committing grievous bodily harm, act of gross indecency and deprivation of liberty in NT. #morcombe

 

[they'll get you]

ABC24 Justice Atkinson said she knew of Cowan's previous history and knew what kind of person he was but the Jury did not.

 

[marlywings]

When Cowan was first arrested for Daniel's murder I recall reading a report about the little boy he'd tried to kill in Darwin. Police & doctors at first thought the little boy had been hit by car as his injuries were so severe.

 

[Seabreeze1]

Does anyone know if the jury members were from out of state? I find it hard to think that they wouldn't have researched him? I just want to give the jury a hug. It's not a job I would want.

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 15s
Bruce Morcombe will now read out his victim impact statement. @abcnews #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 38s
Bruce Morcombe is taking the stand now to read his.

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 39s
Bruce, Denise and Dean Morcombe will all read victim impact statements. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 59s
Bruce Morcombe to read victim impact statement to Cowan sentencing hearing #morcombe

 

[Seabreeze1]

When Cowan was first arrested for Daniel's murder I recall reading a report about the little boy he'd tried to kill in Darwin. Police & doctors at first thought the little boy had been hit by car as his injuries were so severe.

I read that too, it's heartbreaking. I can't imagine how this has affected his victims. Please please sentence him for the remainder of his days.

 

[they'll get you]

ABC24 the little seven year old was brutally raped and was first thought he was hit by a car!!

And Cowan just walked away........


The little fella was left for dead.

Was Daniel left for dead too??

We'll never know.

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 33s
Mr Morcombe says even today he is haunted by thoughts of how long his son was held captive and what was done to him. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 41s
We are no longer the same people. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 55s
Bruce Morcombe to Cowan: "You have robbed Daniel of seventy years of life" #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 30s
You picked on the wrong family. Bruce is looking right at his son's killer. Cowan is looking straight forward. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 45s
Bruce Morcombe says to Cowan: "You have robbed him of 70 years of life." #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
We were forced to move away from our unique garden paradise and family home. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 55s
I listened to Denise's broken sleep punctuated by nightmares. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 26s
The unimaginable pain never leaves you. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 37s
Bruce says they have to live with the images of Daniel's remains being eaten by dogs. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 39s
Bruce Morcombe: "10 years ago you made a choice that ripped our family apart." #Morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 56s
Watching you smirk about throwing Daniel's body down an embankment.

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 42s
Why was he dumped without clothes. Wy was his belt loose? #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 54s
It's made it hard to go on. On many occasions ... I was physically I'll each morning with the unbearable images...

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Ten years ago you am a choice that ripped our family apart. #morcombe

 

[Fuskier]

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 39s
Your own children are also victims and I wonder about them. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 53s
I often wonder about the other victims who you have left in your wake. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 39s
Bruce Morcombe tells Cowan he made a "monumental mistake" when he picked on his family #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 40s
Sitting in the same room as you revolts me. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 56s
You have been completely devoid of any remorse for what you did to Daniel. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Mr Morcombe: "I often wonder about the other victims you have left in your wake." #morcombe @abcnews

Tegan George ‏@tegangeorge 1m
Bruce Morcombe: "You made a monumental mistake that day. You picked on the wrong family." @tennewsqld

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Bruce Morcombe tells Cowan "You picked on the wrong family." #morcombe @abcnews

 

[marlywings]

Does anyone know if the jury members were from out of state? I find it hard to think that they wouldn't have researched him? I just want to give the jury a hug. It's not a job I would want.

I think they were all from Qld. I don't recall any being called up from other states.

This reports details quite a bit about the jurors being instructed by Justice Atkinson back at the start of the trial.

http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/Morcombe-trial-may-be-extended-to-ten-weeks/2164476/

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 54s
Prosecutor Michael Byrne is now reading Denise Morcombe's victim impact statement on her behalf. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 58s
Mr Cowan only you know the last look in Daniel's eyes as you choked him to death. But I can only imagine. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
He was scared of the dark and would often sleep on the floor next to me. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
I see my son lying by himself in that dark bushland being destroyed by wild animals. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 21s
For years I haven't slept more than three hours at the time. #morcombe

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 29s
Denise Morcombe to Cowan: "I hope you have a life of loneliness and are unloved for your entire life" #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 41s
The streets are safer without you walking them. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 53s
Denise Morcombe's statement reads: "I made a vow to Daniel I would find out where he is and that justice is done." #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 53s
I hope you have a life of loneliness and unloved for your entire life. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 36s
Denise knew something was wrong while getting clothes off the line. "For some unknown reason I was anxious." #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Byrne, prosecuting, is reading Denise's statement. #morcombe

Tessa Scott ‏@TessaScott9 1m
Court erupts in clapping after Bruce #Morcombe delivers emotional victim impact statement @9NewsBrisbane

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 1m
Bruce Morcombe finishes statement to applause in court: "may Daniel's soul rest in peace" he says #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Courtroom bursts into applause as Mr Morcombe finishes his victim impact statement. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Public gallery applauds Bruce Morcombe as he leaves the stand.

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Perverted, cold blooded, killing pedophile. May Daniel's soul rest in peace. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Cowan stares straight ahead as Bruce Morcombe reads out his victim impact statement. #morcombe @abcnews

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 2m
Bruce Morcombe tells Cowan he made a "monumental mistake" when he picked on his family #morcombe

 

[marlywings]

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou · 7s
You are an evil, evil, evil unhuman thing. #morcombe

 

[Fuskier]

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 27s
Seeing my grandparents going emotionally go downhill. Not finding a body for all those years definitely took its toll. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 42s
Daniel's older brother Dean is now reading out his statement. Says Cowan "robbed us of ever being a normal family again." #morcombe @abcnews


Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 36s
Dean Morcombe, Daniel's older brother to Cowan: "You robbed us of being a normal family ever again." #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 54s
A news report came over the radio that Daniel was missing and I broke down. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 49s
Dean Morcombe, Daniel's older brother, now reading his statement.

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Members of the jury are clapping Denise Morcombe's victim impact statement.

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Once again, applause in courtroom as Denise's statement finishes. #morcombe @abcnews

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 1m
Denise Morcombe to her son's murderer: "I hope your jail time is difficult and you're never released". #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 54s
"He was, and still is, part of me." #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
You are an evil, evil, evil unhuman thing. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Denise's statement: "This day doesn't bring closure, but the streets are safer..." #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
You are a perverted soul and didn't realise his mother would never stop looking for answers. #morcombe

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 19s
Statement by Daniel's twin Bradley is now read out by prosecutor. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 22s
We were looking forward to sharing six weeks school holidays together. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 40s
Byrne is reading statement by Bradley, Daniel's twin. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 20s
These are the acts of a psychopath that cannot be rehabilitated. More clapping from the gallery. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 52s
Hearing how you just wanted to suck Daniel's penis, and have him suck yours, is sickening. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 1m
Seeing my grandparents going emotionally go downhill. Not finding a body for all those years definitely took its toll. #morcombe

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 22s
Bradley said he's getting married later this year. "Daniel cannot join me for a beer or be my best man at my wedding." #morcombe @abcnews

Sarah Elks ‏@sarahelks 38s
Daniel's twin Bradley to Cowan: "Daniel cannot be my best man at my wedding". Life will never be the same again. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 1m
Bradley: "I am not the person I could've been." #morcombe @abcnews


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 47s
Daniel cannot join me for a beer or be my best man at my wedding. More applause from the gallery. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 15s
I have become very withdrawn. I am not the person I could have been. #morcombe

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 37s
Bradley's statement recalls milestones that should've been shared with his twin. #morcombe @abcnews

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 13s
Returning to school was tough. I struggled with the attention. I could never be that boy in the background again. #morcombe

Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 47s
I gained my drivers licence and bought my first car without Daniel. #morcombe


Kate Kyriacou ‏@KateKyriacou 24s
Time after time, day after day, special event after special event, none would ever be the same again. #morcombe

 

[fruity]

Doing a happy dance this afternoon. So happy he was found guilty!!!

 

[Fuskier]

Francene Norton ‏@francenenorton 27s
Crown asks for life sentence and parole later than 15 years. #morcombe @abcnews