SA Police charge Domenic Perre with murder of Geoffrey Bowen and attempted murder of Peter Wallis in the 1994 NCA bombing
THE family of Geoff Bowen, killed in the 1994 NCA bombing, say their lives were “devastated in a way unimaginable”, as long-time suspect Domenic Perre appeared in court on Thursday, charged with murder and attempted murder over the cold case.
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- The fatal 1994 NCA bombing in Adelaide
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SENIOR police are “extremely confident’’ they have compiled enough new evidence to secure convictions against National Crime Authority bombing accused Domenic Perre.
And the family of slain WA police officer Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen have revealed they “never lost sight of justice’’ in the 24 years since the bombing occurred.
At a press conference shortly after Perre, 61, appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court Assistant Commissioner (Crime) Scott Duval said police were “extremely confident we can prove these allegations.’’
“Certainly this has been an extremely comprehensive review and investigation and we have certainly appreciated the support of the Director of Public Prosecutions,’’ he said.
“As best we can, we have compiled a brief of evidence that we believe will support the charges.’’
The development in the long-running case came when Major Crime detectives descended on the Adelaide Remand Centre just after 11am on Thursday and arrested Perre.
He was taken to the City Watchhouse and formally charged with the murder of WA Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and the attempted murder of NCA lawyer Peter Wallis in the 1994 bombing on Waymouth St.
Perre later appeared in Adelaide Magistrates Court dressed in a blue prison-issue T-shirt and wearing his glasses, Perre looked only at Magistrate Lynette Duncan during his court appearance.
The public gallery was at standing-room only with four prosecutors and 15 officers from major crime in attendance.
There was also a heavy police presence outside the court, with more than a dozen uniformed officers standing outside the building and manning unmarked cars parked around Victoria Square.
In court, prosecutors asked for Perre’s case be adjourned until July to allow them to compile and lodge their case file.
James Noblett, for Perre, told the court his client would not be applying for bail — yet.
“I do want to foreshadow a bail application in due course,” he said.
“The apprehension report does not appear to disclose any fresh, further evidence than what was filed before (in 1994), and he was on bail at that time.”
Ms Duncan remanded Perre in custody until July.
In a statement read at a press conference on behalf of Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen’s widow, Jane Bowen-Sutton, and his two sons, Simon and Matthew, by Jane’s brother David Gorton, the family thanked police.
Ms Bowen-Sutton and Simon were flown to Adelaide from Perth on Thursday after Perre’s arrest.
“The 2nd of March 1994 saw our lives devastated in a way unimaginable with the sudden, unjustified and abhorrent death of a husband, father, friend and police officer — Geoff Bowen,’’ Mr Gorton said.
“Over the past 24 years, there hasn’t been a single day that passes where Geoff isn’t remembered, brought up in conversation, or an anecdote about his happy, but short life, fondly recalled.
“Despite the life sentence that was imposed upon Jane, Matt, Simon and the extended Bowen family that day, we have never lost sight of justice nor have we ever lost faith in the South Australia Police.’’
The family thanked major crime detectives, the Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission and WA police.
The dramatic move follows a protracted two-and-a-half-year cold-case investigation into the 1994 bombing of the NCA’s Waymouth St offices conducted by major crime and the Australian Crime and Intelligence Commission — and it comes on the eve of the 24th anniversary of the bombing.
The Advertiser last month revealed that the fresh inquiries into the 1994 National Crime Authority bombing — dubbed Operation Cornus — was close to concluding its work.
It can now be revealed that Director of Public Prosecutions Adam Kimber SC has been scrutinising the brief of evidence against Perre since that time.
He gave detectives the go-ahead to charge Perre on Wednesday.
Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen, 36, a West Australian detective on secondment to the NCA, was killed in the March 2, 1994, bombing at the CPS building on Waymouth St, while lawyer Peter Wallis, 47, was severely injured. Police covertly launched Operation Cornus in September, 2015.
It has been the largest review of any cold-case murder ever conducted in SA, involving dozens of detectives, analysts and forensic officers working from a secret location in the city.
As a direct result of its investigations, key bombing suspect Domenic Perre is facing cannabis trafficking charges. He is still before the courts on those charges.
Mr Duval said the initial review of the case launched in 2015 had identified several new investigational opportunities.
“This has been the largest and most comprehensive cold case review and investigation ever undertaken by SA police,’’ he said.
“The investigation was undertaken with the assistance of the ACIC and Forensic Science SA and was supported by national and international police agencies.
“It has also used the best forensic capability in the world.
“The investigation and forensic teams have done an outstanding job to get this to this point, however I need to stress we are only at the start of the judicial process in seeking to ultimately prove these allegations ... we have a long way to go, another milestone will come if we can secure a conviction.’’
The fatal 1994 NCA bombing in Adelaide
The taskforce, led by Major Crime officer-in-charge Detective Superintendent Des Bray, established the make-up of the parcel bomb, obtained partial DNA profiles on some exhibits and additional fingerprints from others suspected of being involved in the conspiracy.
Advanced DNA testing on 65 exhibits has been conducted in the Netherlands — at the same laboratory that provided the DNA breakthrough in the Louise Bell case.
In October, 2016, The Advertiser revealed Cornus detectives had identified three new suspects, including a female, who could face serious charges — including murder — as a result of the fresh investigations.
The Advertiser also revealed the bomber’s original plan was to send the parcel bomb to the home of Det-Sgt Bowen.
Detectives have uncovered evidence the bomber was ringing families with the surname “Bowen’’ across Australia a month before the bombing.
Witnesses have told detectives the caller was specifically asking questions to determine if Det-Sgt Bowen lived there.
The bomb arrived at the NCA office in the CPS building in an Express Post pack in a cardboard post box that was inside a black plastic zippy bag.
The bomb consisted of a nine-volt battery, an incendiary substance, a micro switch, wiring and a small quantity of high explosive.
A week after the blast, Perre, of Salisbury North, was arrested and charged with murder and attempted murder.
Perre was committed for trial but, in late 1994, then-Director of Public Prosecutions Paul Rofe, QC, withdrew the charges because he did not believe there was enough evidence to secure a conviction.
BOWEN FAMILY’S FULL STATEMENT
The 2nd of March 1994 saw our lives devastated in a way unimaginable with the sudden, unjustified and abhorrent death of a husband, father, friend and police officer — Geoff Bowen.
Over the last 24 years, there hasn’t been a single day that passes where Geoff isn’t remembered, brought up in conversation, or an anecdote about his happy, but short life, fondly recalled.
Despite the life sentence that was imposed upon Jane, Matt, Simon and the extended Bowen family that day, we have never lost sight of justice nor have we ever lost faith in the South Australia Police.
On behalf of the Bowen Family, we wish to acknowledge the following:
* South Australia Police — Major Crime and members of Task Force Cornus;
* The Western Australia Police Force;
* Former members of the NCA and ACC, as well as former and current members of the ACIC; and
* All and those involved behind the scenes, both here and overseas. We thank you sincerely for your commitment in seeking justice for our family.
We as a family now request our privacy be respected as we come to terms with this development. No further comment will be made at this time regarding the charges, as we wish for judicial process to takes its course unimpeded.
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