NCA bombing suspect Domenic Perre tours scene of his alleged crime as part of his murder trial over the 1994 incident
NCA bombing suspect Domenic Perre has returned to the scene of his alleged crime, under heavy guard and more than 27 years later, as part of his murder trial.
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More than 27 years after the infamous NCA bombing, prime suspect Domenic Perre has returned to the scene of his alleged crime – under heavy guard and as part of his trial.
On Thursday, the Supreme Court toured CBD locations from which, prosecutors allege, Perre observed the aftermath of the explosion, and even chatted to police about it.
Just before 10am, SA Police closed down Bentham and Pitt streets, as well as a section of Franklin Street, and redirected traffic around the temporary outdoor courtroom.
Surrounded by court sheriff’s officers, Department for Correctional Services guards and a police K9 Unit, Perre was unloaded from a cage van just after 10am.
VIEW TO A KILL: Prosecutors allege that, 27yrs ago this month, Domenic Perre (in wheelchair) stood on this roof and watched the aftermath of the NCA bombing. @theTiser #truecrime pic.twitter.com/zEUt1PpR3f
— Sean Fewster (@SeanFewster) March 17, 2021
Wearing black sneakers, grey jeans and a dark jacket, with his right arm in a sling, the alleged bomber was helped into a wheelchair.
A court sheriff’s officer pushed him around the area as prosecutors and defence counsel conferred with Justice Kevin Nicholson, pointing out sites of interest.
Pedestrians, city workers and cafe patrons watched as the procession – including motorcycle police officers and media – retraced the path Perre allegedly took after the explosion.
Previously, prosecutor Sandi McDonald alleged Perre had “ordinarily led a relatively quiet lifestyle” in 1994, but was “highly active” on the day of the bombing.
She said police already had him under surveillance – due to an ongoing drug crop investigation – when, at 8am that morning, he left his northern suburbs home.
When the bomb detonated at 9.15am, she said, Perre was “mobile in his car”, visiting his father and then a tyre shop at Salisbury.
She said FIVEaa broke the news of the bombing at 10am and, for the next hour and a half, police followed him into the city and to a Pitt St car park.
“He drove up to the rooftop, driving past numerous empty car parks along the way,” she said.
“He parked his vehicle in an easterly direction in a position that gave him a direct line of sight to the blown out window of the NCA bombing.”
Perre, 64, has pleaded not guilty to murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen, and attempting to murder NCA lawyer Peter Wallis, over the March 2, 1994, bombing.
Prosecutors allege that, motivated by “festering hatred”, Perre built and sent a parcel bomb to the NCA’s Adelaide office.
They allege almost three decades worth of police investigations, including undercover operations and the evidence of a key witness, prove Perre’s guilt.
Perre’s legal team, however, say the case is based on “folklore not forensics” and claim the witness was intimidated by police until he implicated their client.
On Thursday, Perre showed little reaction – leaning one arm on the side of his wheelchair and resting his face on his hand – to the high-security court excursion.
Wheeled onto the fifth level of the Pitt Street car park, he looked up at the site of the former NCA offices – and the office windows visible from that vantage point – for a few moments.
He was taken back down the elevator, and helped into the cage van, shortly before 11.30am to return to court and continue with the hearing of evidence.
Previously, Ms McDonald alleged officers followed Perre as he left the Pitt Street car park and stopped under a tree on Franklin Street to watch ambulances and police cars.
“He then approached the intersection of Waymouth and King William streets, which had been cordoned off,” she said.
“He stopped there and watched the activities in the area of the NCA building for about two minutes.”
About 1pm, she said, a police constable performing traffic control around the bomb site spoke with Perre.
“(The constable) was approached by Perre who asked him what had happened,” she said.
“He replied there had been an accident, and he observed Perre look up into the vicinity of the 12th floor a number of times.
“From where the constable was standing, you could clearly see where the bomb had exploded.”
Ms McDonald said Perre walked off toward Victoria Square and, at 1.20pm, left the city bound for a friend’s house.
Shortly before 2pm, he drove to the home of one of his cousins – soon joined by a man in a second car – and carried a black briefcase into the house.
That evening, police conducted their first post-bombing search of Perre’s home.
“Despite receiving numerous documents in Bowen’s name, Bowen’s arrest of Perre in September 1993 and a specific occasion when he complained about Bowen by name, Perre denied any knowledge of Geoffrey Bowen,” she said.
“That was clearly untrue.”
The trial, before Justice Nicholson and in the absence of a jury, continues.
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