Whiskey Au Go Go inquest: Cop denies firebombers were verballed

A detective involved in the investigation of the notorious Whiskey Au Go Go firebombing has denied the conventional wisdom the offenders were verballed in their police interviews.

A detective who investigated the deadly Whiskey Au Go Go inferno says he does not believe the culprits were “verballed” during their police interviews.

An inquest into the mass murder of 15 people in the infamous 1973 Brisbane nightclub firebombing is examining the adequacy of the police investigation, including claims the main suspects were verballed and that more people were involved but never charged.

Days after the inferno, John Andrew Stuart and James Finch were charged with arson and murder, and they were convicted months later at trial.

Peter Slatter was a detective with the Brisbane Criminal Investigations Branch Homicide Squad and on Tuesday told the court it had since become common belief that “everybody knows he (Finch) was verballed”.

“Well I don’t (know) and I was there,” he said

Under questioning, Mr Slatter said he was not aware of claims that detectives discussed what they should write in Finch’s police statement.

“I’ve got no knowledge of any of that,” he said.

“As far as I’m aware it was a straightforward record of interview.”

Former detective Peter Slatter outside Brisbane Coroners Court today. Picture: Tara Croser

The Fitzgerald inquiry raised concerns about the “widespread” practice of police verballing suspects to help secure a conviction.

Asked whether he was aware of the “verbal confession” practice, Mr Slatter agreed he was.

“We were always aware of it because you’d go to court and you’d have a signed statement, it could be witnessed by a priest and you’d still be accused of verballing,” he said.

“That’s what criminal lawyers did back in those days.”

The inquest continues in the Brisbane Coroners Court before State Coroner Terry Ryan and is expected to run until mid-next week.

Witnesses expected to be called include Vincent O’Dempsey, who was convicted of the murders of Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters. It’s been claimed Mrs McCulkin was killed to stop her from revealing what she knew about the Whiskey fire.

Former New South Wales detective Roger Rogerson, who is serving a life sentence for the murder of drug dealer Jamie Gao, is also scheduled to be called to give evidence via videolink from prison.

Rogerson was sent to Queensland in 1973 to help investigate nightclub firebombing and allegations it may have been linked to Sydney criminals.

He is the last person alive who was in the room during Finch’s controversial interview with police.