Annette Mason inquest: Several ‘persons of interest’ in cold case, court told
AN inquest into the mysterious death of Queensland teenager Annette Mason has been reopened this morning and details of extensive investigations spanning almost 30 years have been revealed.
Crime & Justice
Don't miss out on the headlines from Crime & Justice. Followed categories will be added to My News.
AN inquest into the mysterious death of Toowoomba teenager Annette Mason has been reopened this morning and details of extensive investigations spanning almost 30 years have been revealed.
The 15-year-old was found bludgeoned to death in her bed in 1989 after a night out and no one has ever been charged with her murder.
The former star pupil at Toowoomba’s St Ursula’s College had just left school and moved into a sharehouse before her murder.
The first inquest into Annette’s death was held in 1991 and was closed subject to “reopening at any stage should further evidence become available”.
After a tireless campaign from her heartbroken family and further police inquiries, Attorney-General Yvette D’Ath announced last November that the inquest would be reopened.
“As Attorney-General, I believe it is in the interests of justice that the inquest be reopened, and consequently I am instructing the State Coroner to do so,” she said at the time.
This morning, State Coroner Terry Ryan officially re-opened the inquest in Brisbane.
Counsel assisting the coroner, Adrian Braithwaite, said investigations had focused “on a number of persons of interests” in the intervening years.
He said in 1999, secret coercive hearings were conducted which resulted in a number of lines of inquiries.
“But ultimately (it did not lead) to any further substantive outcome,” Mr Braithwaite said.
He said a further 18 coercive hearings were held in 2009, with 90 witnesses re-interviewed — which narrowed the persons of interest.
In 2016, Queensland Police’s homicide unit conducted further investigations, interviewing more witnesses including Annette’s family.
Mr Ryan adjourned the inquest to February, at which stage witnesses to give evidence at the hearing may be finalised.
Speaking outside the Brisbane Coroners Court today, Annette’s sister Linda Mason said her ultimate goal was to “see someone charged”.
“It’s a long, hard fight but it will be well worth it to see an ending,” Ms Mason told reporters.
A $250,000 reward remains on offer for anyone with information that could lead to a conviction for Annette’s death.
‘You’ve lost two licences, and you’re only a learner’
A learner driver copped an earful from an Ipswich magistrate over his astonishing accumulation of demerit points.
‘Night beautiful’: Mum accused of attempted murder
A mum accused of trying to murder her four-year-old daughter - by 'gassing' her in a car - has been sentenced for breaching her bail conditions by spending time with the girl.