Derek Bromley’s appeal dismissed over 1984 murder of Stephen Docoza

A SOUTH Australian man who has spent 34 years in prison for a murder he says he did not commit has failed in his bid for freedom.

Convicted killer Derek Bromley, left, and murder victim Stephen Docoza, right.

• Bromley wins right to apply to appeal conviction
• Bromley gets chance to plead innocence after 34 years
• Bromley appeals conviction for death of Docoza

A SOUTH Australian man who has spent 34 years in prison for a murder he says he did not commit has failed in his bid for freedom.

The Court of Criminal Appeal on Tuesday dismissed the appeal of Derek Bromley over the 1984 murder of Stephen Docoza.

Bromley and an alleged accomplice, John Karpany, were sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Mr Docoza, whose body was found floating in the River Torrens.

From the outset police reported Mr Docoza had been beaten and drowned following an altercation after Bromley asked the man for sex.

A taxi driver claimed to have dropped the men, who had been drinking, close to the Morphett St bridge, near where the murder took place.

A schizophrenic man also claimed to have witnessed the bashing.

But Bromley has consistently denied involvement.

He exhausted appeals in the 1980s, at which his lawyers disputed the veracity of witnesses.

However, laws enacted in 2013 allow second appeals by an accused if there is fresh and compelling evidence.

Last year Bromley launched another bid to clear his name, arguing evidence provided by Dr Manock — whose evidence was also questioned in the Keogh case — was incorrect.

Although he completed his non-parole period in 2008, Bromley has remained in prison because he has consistently refused to say he is guilty and take ownership of the crime — a prerequisite for release.

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