Alleged NCA bomber Domenic Perre asks why his counsel was not told key prosecution witness is sole suspect in unsolved 1989 prison stabbing murder
A paroled murderer who is due to give evidence against alleged NCA bomber Domenic Perre is still the prime – and only – suspect in an unsolved cold-case killing, a court has heard.
Police & Courts
Don't miss out on the headlines from Police & Courts. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- NCA bombing case: Domenic Perre to stand trial in October
- How to get the most out of your Advertiser digital subscription
A paroled murderer set to be a key witness in the NCA bombing trial remains the sole suspect in an unsolved, 30-year-old fatal prison stabbing, a court has heard.
Just three months ahead of Domenic Perre’s trial, his counsel say state authorities have failed to disclose the full criminal histories of those who will give evidence against him.
They told the Adelaide Magistrates Court they asked for such details a year ago, yet only learned about the paroled murderer – who cannot be identified – in recent days.
However Liz Ferris, for the Department for Correctional Services, insisted the lack of transparency was no more than an innocent mistake.
“It’s not some big conspiracy, it’s simply 30-year-old records on microfilm were gone through more thoroughly, resulting in more information being found,” she said.
“That’s the explanation, and it’s a quite simple explanation … there’s no intent to not provide the information, there’s no conspiracy.”
Perre, 61, will stand trial in the Supreme Court in October over the infamous March 2, 1994, explosion on Waymouth St.
He has pleaded not guilty to murdering Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and attempting to murder lawyer Peter Wallis with a parcel bomb.
Perre was originally charged days after the explosion, but those allegations were dropped six months later with prosecutors saying there was “no reasonable chance of conviction”.
Since Perre’s second arrest, in March 2018, his counsel have insisted the only new evidence comes from “a conga line” of “self-interested” prison informants.
On Tuesday, Gilbert Aitken, for Perre, said authorities were obligated to hand information about those men to defence counsel, and were failing to do so.
He said the paroled murderer was “a very, very important witness” and would be subject to thorough cross-examination.
“Our subpoenas sought details of any incident of substantial misconduct engaged in by these prisoners while in custody,” he said.
“It’s now become known by us that one man, while serving time for murder, was arrested for the murder of another inmate in September 1989.
“The charges were discontinued, the matter remains open and he is the only suspect … we’re gobsmacked such very serious information about this witness wasn’t disclosed.”
Ms Ferris said the Department’s Freedom of Information team had worked diligently to answer the subpoenas, but had missed a reference to the murder in a separate file.
When she asked for time to provide the material to Perre’s counsel, Magistrate Brett Dixon said she had until 5pm on Monday.