Australia Australia - Suzanne Armstrong, 28, Susan Bartlett, 27, Collingwood, Vic, 10 Jan 1977

[TootsieFootsie]

Easey Street Murders: Rachael Brown on the case that ‘haunts’ Melbourne - ABC listen

As the Easey Street committal hearing is on hold, we reflect on the evidence so far and answer your questions, with investigative reporter Rachael Brown returning to the pod. Rachael also shares her reactions to triple-murderer Erin Patterson's appeal application, filed this week. If you have...

www.abc.net.au

Easey Street Murders: Rachael Brown on the case that ‘haunts’ Melbourne​

24.21 minute audio

 

[Bats]

A defence lawyer representing Perry Kouroumblis, accused of the 1977 Easey Street murder of two women, has questioned the handling of DNA exhibits during the initial police investigation.

The court has previously heard the prosecution's case was "based almost exclusively on DNA evidence".

Lawyer questions handling of DNA evidence in Easey Street murder

Perry Kouroumblis's lawyer has questioned former officers about their handling of evidence in the 1977 murder case that the prosecution said relied on DNA.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Cliff Hardy]

A defence lawyer representing Perry Kouroumblis, accused of the 1977 Easey Street murder of two women, has questioned the handling of DNA exhibits during the initial police investigation.

The court has previously heard the prosecution's case was "based almost exclusively on DNA evidence".

Lawyer questions handling of DNA evidence in Easey Street murder

Perry Kouroumblis's lawyer has questioned former officers about their handling of evidence in the 1977 murder case that the prosecution said relied on DNA.

www.abc.net.au

That move was as predictable as taxes and death.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

https://www.heraldsun.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-victoria/senior-police-who-attended-easey-st-murder-scene-probed-over-whether-officer-urinated-in-backyard/news-story/0c5cbdc00af807bc0fc309ddc1466b82?amp

Senior police who attended Easey St murder scene probed over whether officer urinated in backyard​

May be behind a paywall. Posting it here for those who subscribe.

 

[dotr]

Nov 24, 2025 7NEWS Just In 2025
'Two former homicide detectives faced questioning over their evidence handling in the Easey Street murders case, with one admitting to touching a towel at the crime scene without gloves. The questioning occurred during a committal hearing for Perry Kouroumblis, who is accused of murdering Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Collingwood home in 1977. The 66-year-old defendant denies the allegations.'

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Famous detective’s chance encounter with Easey St murder accused

Ron Iddles could never have anticipated that a random vehicle check in 1977 would lead to him to giving evidence in a double-murder case almost 50 years later.

www.abc.net.au

Famous Melbourne detective Ron Iddles' chance encounter with Easey Street murder accused​

Ron Iddles could never have anticipated that a random vehicle check in January 1977 would lead to him to giving evidence in a double murder case nearly 50 years later.

The now-decorated retired Melbourne detective, known for his high conviction rate, was just a constable back then, assigned to Collingwood Police Station.

 

[Bats]

"Perry Kouroumblis will stand trial for the murder of two women in a Collingwood home in 1977.

The 66-year-old will face two counts of murder, while a rape charge has been struck out by a judge."

Perry Kouroumblis to stand trial over 1977 Easey Street murders

The 66-year-old accused of killing two women in Melbourne in 1977 will stand trial over the murders, but has had a rape charge dismissed.

www.abc.net.au

 

[drsleuth]

"Perry Kouroumblis will stand trial for the murder of two women in a Collingwood home in 1977.

The 66-year-old will face two counts of murder, while a rape charge has been struck out by a judge."

Perry Kouroumblis to stand trial over 1977 Easey Street murders

The 66-year-old accused of killing two women in Melbourne in 1977 will stand trial over the murders, but has had a rape charge dismissed.

www.abc.net.au

From your link ^^

Mr Kouroumblis was aged 17 at the time, and police also claimed he had "carnal knowledge with Suzanne Armstrong without her consent".

That charge, from the 1970s, would today be known as rape.

However, Magistrate Sonnet found there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction on that charge as a homicide detective had told the committal hearing Ms Armstrong appeared to have been raped after she was killed.


What am I missing here??

You can't consent if you are dead. Seems the Magistrate doesn't see an issue with Necrophilia???

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I suppose it's because he wasn't charged with necrophilia, the charge was rape without consent
which she couldn't have given if she was dead.

It seems to be all in the wording.

Maybe they'll add on a necrophilia charge.

 

[JLZ]

From your link ^^

Mr Kouroumblis was aged 17 at the time, and police also claimed he had "carnal knowledge with Suzanne Armstrong without her consent".

That charge, from the 1970s, would today be known as rape.

However, Magistrate Sonnet found there was insufficient evidence to support a conviction on that charge as a homicide detective had told the committal hearing Ms Armstrong appeared to have been raped after she was killed.


What am I missing here??

You can't consent if you are dead. Seems the Magistrate doesn't see an issue with Necrophilia???

But necrophilic practice isn't rape.

Changing the subject slightly, I am hopeful that Perry didn't have anything to do with these killings (or with touching the corpses).

 

[drsleuth]

I suppose it's because he wasn't charged with necrophilia, the charge was rape without consent
which she couldn't have given if she was dead.

It seems to be all in the wording.

Maybe they'll add on a necrophilia charge.

Makes sense Toots

But necrophilic practice isn't rape.

OK, Thanks

 

[JLZ]

Maybe they'll add on a necrophilia charge.

Same problem, basically: no evidence that she wasn't alive at the time.

 

[Bats]

Changing the subject slightly, I am hopeful that Perry didn't have anything to do with these killings (or with touching the corpses).

Curious - is there a reason you can divulge for hoping Perry had no involvement?

 

[TootsieFootsie]

I'm always hopeful that some innocent person doesn't get convicted of something.
Even innocent people sometimes panic and make it worse for themselves.

I guess we'll have to wait and see.

I'm hoping that there is enough evidence to come to a firm conclusion either way.

 

[JLZ]

Curious - is there a reason you can divulge for hoping Perry had no involvement?

It doesn't quite amount to "reason". I feel protective of him because he was so young. No doubt he got up to a few things he shouldn't have, and led a somewhat unconventional life later. It seems unlikely to me that as a Greek in inner Melbourne he had the extremely deprived upbringing that creates a psychopath.

 

[Bats]

It doesn't quite amount to "reason". I feel protective of him because he was so young. No doubt he got up to a few things he shouldn't have, and led a somewhat unconventional life later. It seems unlikely to me that as a Greek in inner Melbourne he had the extremely deprived upbringing that creates a psychopath.

Thanks! I understand your feelings @JLZ.

I think when you see a long time mystery possibly solved, it's very easy to have a bias towards the allegations. When there's been no answers for years and years and then all of a sudden some evidence is uncovered, so it must be the missing piece of the puzzle. Well i think I'm guilty of that bias anyway.

Hopefully whatever happens will be the correct outcome for everyone.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

Yes it's easy to forget now that he was only 17 at the time.

 

[Via Marple]

Are people saying that the accused should not be charged as an adult? That he should be tried at a children's court?

Sorry I just don't get it. I guess I will "roll and scroll" or just stick to reading the news.

 

[dotr]

Nov 26, 2025 7NEWS Just In 2025
Perry Kouroumblis has been ordered to stand trial for the murders of Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Collingwood sharehouse in 1977. The 66-year-old formally pleaded not guilty to the charges, though a rape charge has been dismissed.

 

[TootsieFootsie]

No, what some of us are saying is that he was very young at the time, which is a fact.

Trying to keep an open mind as to his guilt or innocence.

Trying to be fair. ie like him having a fair trial.


No one said he would be tried as a minor. Never even entered my mind and I haven't seen it reported anywhere.