Just-paroled rapist and murderer Jonathon Bakewell offered to testify against NCA bombing-accused Domenic Perre, court hears
A murdering rapist who was just paroled for the fifth time offered to testify against the long-time suspect accused over the fatal 1994 NCA bombing, a court has heard.
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A murderous rapist who was granted parole for a fifth time and smuggled out of prison using a decoy is one of the witnesses who came forward in the NCA bombing murder case, a court has heard.
On Monday, the Adelaide Magistrates Court heard Jonathon Bakewell — who killed Anne-Marie Culleton in the 1980s — is among the “conga line” of people offering to testify against long-time 1994 National Crime Authority bombing suspect Domenic Perre.
Bakewell’s offer of involvement was revealed during a hearing about subpoenas for the Perre case’s long pre-trial proceedings, in which defence counsel is seeking to strike out parts of the prosecution case.
Neither the nature of Bakewell’s purported evidence, nor his supposed connection to Perre, was disclosed in court — however prosecutors said they no longer intended to call the killer as a witness.
Lawyers for the Department of Correctional Services said that meant they should be excused from providing their records about Bakewell to Perre’s counsel, as sought by a subpoena.
However, Perre’s counsel said that was not the case — and asked the court be closed to the public and media so they could explain why.
Perre, 61, is accused of murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis in the March 2, 1994, explosion on Waymouth St.
He was charged at the time but the case was dropped — a coronial inquest found Perre was likely responsible.
Since Perre’s arrest, his legal team has fought to have aspects of the prosecution case thrown out prior to trial
In July, they claimed the only new evidence against their client came from “a conga line” of informants “motivated by self-interest”.
Last week, Bakewell was released from prison, following his fourth parole breach and against the warnings of Ms Culleton’s sister Eileen, who says he remains a danger to women.
The Department for Correctional Services chose to use a decoy car and prisoner to disguise Bakewell’s actual release as well as where he will be living in the community under strict electronic monitoring.
On Monday, the remainder of the hearing continued in closed court — under SA law, the media has no right to challenge such an order.
The matter returns to court for further argument next month.