Allan McQueen tells murdered teen Annette Mason’s family he’s willing to take lie detector test
A jailhouse killer who is the prime suspect in the 1989 murder of 15-year-old Toowoomba girl Annette Mason has made a frank offer to her family during a heated court room exchange.
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A jailhouse killer who is the prime suspect in the 1989 murder of 15-year-old Toowoomba girl Annette Mason has told the girl’s family he’s willing to take a lie detector test during a heated courtroom exchange.
Allan McQueen, an armed robber who was sentenced to life in prison 24 years ago for bludgeoning a fellow inmate to death, was brought before the coronial inquest in Brisbane today to give evidence on the cold case murder.
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McQueen, who was granted parole earlier his year, has been named as the prime suspect in the violent murder which shook the Toowoomba community after Annette was found bludgeoned to death in her bed.
Because the death took place in 1989 when the old coronial act was in place, witnesses in the current three-week inquest cannot be forced to give evidence which they believe may incriminate themselves.
In line with the old act Coroner Terry Ryan dismissed McQueen from giving evidence as soon as he took the stand.
“I think having regard to the evidence that we’ve heard this witness would have a reasonable apprehension that any answer which he gave in relation to questions touching on the death of Annette Mason may tend to incriminate him so I’m going to need to accept that is his position and make a ruling that he not be required to answer any questions,” Mr Ryan said.
But despite being dismissed from the inquest and against the advice of his lawyer, McQueen began speaking directly to Annette’s family who have been present throughout the proceedings.
“Can I just say one thing to the family,” he said.
“In 2003 I made an offer to take a lie detector test and you refused that offer. I don’t understand why you refused that offer.
“There was gonna be no lawyers involved, there was gonna be no court rooms involved and you refused that offer and here I sit here today as the prime suspect and being given advice from my lawyers not to answer questions.”
McQueen said he was still willing to take the test.
“That offer I made in 2003 there was no strings attached, there was no strings attached,” he said.
“Would you like me to take it today?”
When counsel assisting the coroner Adrian Braithwaite objected to McQueen addressing the family saying it was not the “appropriate forum”, McQueen told him: “they’re looking for answers”.
Shine Lawyers solicitor Leanne McDonald, who represents Annette’s family, said they had never been contacted about McQueen taking a lie detector test.
“The Mason family has never received an offer from Allan McQueen to take a lie detector test in relation to his involvement in the murder of Annette Mason,” she said.
“Mr McQueen’s outburst in court today was the first the family has ever heard of this offer.”
Three witnesses this week have given evidence they heard McQueen admit to killing Annette in the months after her death.
The inquest continues.
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