GUILTY Australia - Joan Ryther, 27, pregnant, raped & murdered, Logan, Qld, 21 May 2013

[Strangeworld]

Thanks Marly! And for keeping us in line

 

[Strangeworld]

For those interested, Cory is going to be on A Current Affair (Ch9) tomorrow night at 6.30pm. What a brave man he is!

They usually put up an online version of the story afterwards here.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/

 

[CuriousGrace]

Thanks, CuriousGrace, for the information. It's a hard call, though, whether I agree with an accused man having to be in jail for years, potentially, before a proper trial. But the alternative is - well, letting a potential rapist and murderer walk around free, or get off due to lack of evidence...

Is it like, 'too bad, so sorry' if he's innocent, though? I'm assuming they'd -have- to have enough evidence to be pretty sure of a conviction. Or I'd hope so, at least.

On the other hand, the charges are so severe that it is hard to believe authories would arrest someone on a "whim". They still need probable cause to not only arrest someone but to charge them as well. It is not very often in Australia individuals are wrongly accused of murder and rape, less significant crimes maybe, but not ones of rape, murder and unlawful assault. It takes a lot of resources and time to get this case ready for trial, hence the time between initial arrest and committal hearing/potential trial. It was a brazen attack, therefore there would be significant evidence, that we as the public, are not privy to yet. His age would indicate he is not experienced and "professional" enough to not leave behind critical clues that implicate him.

 

[Ausgirl]

Good reply, CuriousGrace, and one I tend to wholly agree with.

It's really pretty shameful that I know more about law in California than I do about Australian law, I think!

 

[fruity]

The trouble with the noose is the same trouble with the furor over the teenage girl calling an AFL player an ape ... the connections and connotations are there regardless of whether you are aware of them. A noose hanging from a tree is a potent racist symbol. I think when justice is hanging in the balance, we need to be especially politically correct so that we mitigate whatever social injustice there is based on race as much as possible. So that he can be punished fairly for his crime. Which is harshly and permanently IMO, which would be a death penalty if we had it and because we don't, it should be life without parole. We don't need riots and any leniency based on what the public does.

Well said!

 

[possumheart]

Police prosecutor Sergeant Tony Donovan told the court it could take investigators between six and 12 months to compile a brief of evidence.
He said a key witness in the case was overseas and would not be returning for some time.

http://m.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/accused-ryther-killer-in-court-20130603-2nklj.html

 

[H A L 9 0 0 0]

Interesting about this key witness. Does this indicate there were a number of people involved? Perhaps police have applied a lot of pressure on this person that if they do not co-operate as a witness they will be charged as accomplice.

Still think Yellow jumper is likely to have been present at some point due to the coincidental emotion/shock he displayed. But perhaps this key witness was at the scene after Yellow jumper fled and saw more take place.

If the suspect is freely offering DNA (but is guilty) perhaps he thinks that because he used protection he has nothing to fear -which would, to me, indicate a very calculated act. If that's the reason behind the offer of DNA then hopefully there is other material that was located at the crime scene, or at the suspects place of residence on clothing, shoes etc.

Afterthought: if the key witness is not being co-operative could the delay in the evidence brief be somehow related to the process of having someone extradited from another country?

 

[Strangeworld]

Good points Hal. I'm also curious about the delay in the witness returning from overseas. Not returning for some time? Does it mean they have other commitments overseas? Incarcerated overseas? Working overseas? Took off for fear of repercussions for talking? Strange that this person, so soon after the crime, is not in the country. I couldn't imagine it being something to do with the cost of travelling back, because the police would obviously make travel arrangements for a key witness.

Another possibility could be that the accused has committed a similar crime and the witness is in relation to this potential other crime (this is purely speculation and IMO only).

 

[ozazure]

Well that's an unexpected twist!!

 

[Flinders]

Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou)
4/06/13 3:44 PM

The 18-year-old man charged with the rape and murder of Joan Ryther will apply for bail on Wednesday.

 

[H A L 9 0 0 0]

Yes it seems highly likely this key witness got spooked after all the media coverage and public outcry and took off with the intention of laying low. That said, maybe the guy they arrested stuck around so as not to appear suspicious.

The anticipated delay could be due to ongoing negotiations with this person to either return or face extradition - which I imagine could be a lengthy process. (Though to be extradited, as I understand it, a person would need to be charged in relation to a serious crime, perhaps as an accessory.)

I'm not quite sure how it all works but I assume someone can still be considered a ''key witness'' whether or not they've indicated they will co-operate. Afterall, if they witnessed something, that makes them a witness right- even if they refuse to talk? Maybe someone with some legal background out there might know?

 

[Strangeworld]

For those interested, Cory is going to be on A Current Affair (Ch9) tomorrow night at 6.30pm. What a brave man he is!

They usually put up an online version of the story afterwards here.

http://aca.ninemsn.com.au/

Just bumping this for tonight

 

[fruity]

Joan Ryther's husband speaks of loss

The husband of a pregnant Queensland woman who was allegedly murdered on her way to work says the last words he heard out of her mouth were "I love you".

Joan Ryther, 27, was raped and killed on May 21 on her way to the McDonald's restaurant where she worked in Logan, south of Brisbane.
Her husband, Cory, says he's now living hour by hour as he struggles to deal with the death of his wife and their unborn child, A Current Affair reports.

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/06/04/18/38/ryther-speaks-of-wife-s-final-words

 

[nowvoyager]

Kate Kyriacou (@KateKyriacou)
4/06/13 3:44 PM

The 18-year-old man charged with the rape and murder of Joan Ryther will apply for bail on Wednesday.

I presume mean next week (12th) not today?

 

[Flinders]

I presume mean next week (12th) not today?

Yes Now, it is next week. The reporter made a correction after being advised by lawyers.


Renae Henry (@renaehenry10)
5/06/13 9:25 AM
Lawyers just advised me they'll apply for bail next Wednesday for the 18yo accused of raping and murdering Logan's Joan Ryther @tennewsqld

 

[moreinfo]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...uing-700-lines-of-inquiry-20130605-2npfo.html
"Police are in the process of pursuing more than 700 lines of inquiry as they continue to investigate the killing of Logan mother-to-be Joan Canino Ryther.
Despite the arrest of a young man accused of the murder, Logan detectives are still working tirelessly at the major incident room established in the days after Mrs Ryther's body was found to compile a brief of evidence.
"We have had over 700 lines of inquiry," Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said.
"We will continue investigating the case so as not to leave any stone unturned."

Something tells me this is sounding like a gang rape. Could it be possible he is denying charges b/c he's not the only one that raped Joan, or he raped but did not single handedly cause her death. And then you have a key witness go overseas (wonder if it was a pre arranged trip, or spur of moment). I wonder where they are, many countries require you to leave even after a certain time if you do not have visa.
Otherwise my other train of thought is that maybe some of the women in the community he lived in have come out and spoken of past. Hence why there are 700 lines of enquiry.
Of course either could be way off.

 

[Humdinger]

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...uing-700-lines-of-inquiry-20130605-2npfo.html
"Police are in the process of pursuing more than 700 lines of inquiry as they continue to investigate the killing of Logan mother-to-be Joan Canino Ryther.
Despite the arrest of a young man accused of the murder, Logan detectives are still working tirelessly at the major incident room established in the days after Mrs Ryther's body was found to compile a brief of evidence.
"We have had over 700 lines of inquiry," Detective Superintendent David Hutchinson said.
"We will continue investigating the case so as not to leave any stone unturned."

Something tells me this is sounding like a gang rape. Could it be possible he is denying charges b/c he's not the only one that raped Joan, or he raped but did not single handedly cause her death. And then you have a key witness go overseas (wonder if it was a pre arranged trip, or spur of moment). I wonder where they are, many countries require you to leave even after a certain time if you do not have visa.
Otherwise my other train of thought is that maybe some of the women in the community he lived in have come out and spoken of past. Hence why there are 700 lines of enquiry.
Of course either could be way off.

Great post, very thought provoking! Thank you.

 

[fruity]

Thinking of Corey especially, as well as all of Joan's family and friends right now as they say goodbye at her funeral.

 

[marlywings]

June 8, 2013 - 3:56PM

With his right hand gently touching his wife's coffin, Cory Ryther tearfully farewelled Joan Ryther and his unborn child.

At a moving funeral service at St Paul's Catholic Church at Woodridge, south of Brisbane, hundreds of mourners filled the church to overflowing.

There were friends - and many strangers touched by the tragedy - many wearing Mrs Ryther's favorite colour, purple

A lone piper played as Joan's body left the church, with purple balloons released into the grey Logan skies.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/que...dge-funeral-20130608-2nwbe.html#ixzz2VbTtMX00

 

[wewillgetyou]

Bail denied. Thank goodness.

@KateKyriacou: DNA from the accused was found on four places on Joan Ryther's clothing, court hears. Her blood was on a bandage he was wearing that night.

www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/bandage-links-teen-to-ryther-murder-court-20130612-2o35z.html