Lindt siege inquest: Terror experts question NSW police tactics
Images of Man Monis’s weapons were shown at the resumption of the Lindt Cafe inquest today, as it was also revealed that he may have been working with an accomplice and could have been hoping to get out alive.
NSW
Don't miss out on the headlines from NSW. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Siege inquest to hear manager’s 000 call
- Siege police names must be protected
- Lindt Cafe siege secrets may never be known as NSW Police lodge objections
THE Lindt Cafe siege inquest was today shown a picture of another weapon Man Monis was carrying in his backpack - but never used.
And in the photograph, the silver paring knife has a spot of his blood which had leaked on it through the pack.
In a sensational day’s evidence retracing the events of December 15, 2014, watched by survivors and members of the victims’ families, a picture of the sawn-off shotgun he used was also shown, along with CCTV footage of him approaching the cafe.
Counsel assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC revealed that Monis may “ominously” have been planning the siege for up to two months when he bought the mobile phone in October 2014 and apparantly wrote the message he gave to Mr Johnson to read out on the first Triple-O call from the cafe.
Two days before the siege, on December 13, Monis withdrew all his money, $850, from two bank accounts using ATM machines in Beamish Street, Campsie.
He used $70 to buy the backpack but only had $210 left after the siege so may have used the rest of the money to buy the sawn-off and ammunition.
The inquest also heard that Monis may have been working with an accomplice who drove him to the scene of the deadly siege.
Investigators have found no CCTV trace of his movements on trains or buses and there were no sightings of him using taxis or from hotels to get from home in Wiley Park to the Lindt Cafe on December 15 in 2014.
“There is a real possibility he was dropped in the city in a car driven by persons or a person unknown,” counsel assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC, said today.
He said police were still investigating who that may have been.
Mr Gormly said there was evidence that Monis may have expected to walk out alive.
He never revealed his identity and denied it when police negotiators called him “Sheik Haron”. He also had a mobile phone bought in a false name but never used and never spoke himself to negotiators during the 17-hour siege, instead using hostages as go-betweens as he told them
what to say.
The self-style sheik was shot dead when police stormed the cafe after he had executed cafe manager Tori Johnson. Barrister Katrina Dawson was killed in the crossfire.
CCTV footage first shows him striding confidently and purposely “without hestitation” up Martin Place at 8.26am, Mr Gormly said.
He was wearing a black backpack which he claimed contained a bomb that turned out to be a speaker with wires hanging out.
He was wearing camouflage trousers and a blue jacket which have been retained but which will not be shown a the inquest because they were too soiled and damaged, the inquest.
Earlier in the day, the first chilling triple O call from the Lindt Cafe siege was played in which hostage victim Tori Johnson states calmly his country is under attack.
The inquest heard how the cafe manager remained calm as he read the message from gunman Man Monis: “Australia is under attack by IS. There are three bombs in three different locations.”
It was at 9.44am when Monis, who had been in the Martin Place cafe for over an hour, had Mr Johnson, 34, make the call.
The bombs turned out to be a hoax but led to most of central Sydney being locked down as emergency services checked them out.
Counsel for Mr Johnson’s family, Gabrielle Bashir, argued today that the call should not be played because it would cause his family even more distress.
But NSW State Coroner Michael Barnes said as much evidence as possible should be revealed in public including the playing of the call.
“I regret any distress caused but I do not shy away from using any of the material that may cause it,” the coroner said.
Counsel assisting the inquest, Jeremy Gormly SC, said it was Mr Johnson’s calmness and control as he tried to manage the terrifying situation that may have caused Monis to treat him differently.
OTHER NEWS: MORE TEACHERS TO BE SENT TO OUR JAILS
“It is quite significant to listen to the way Tori managed the call,” Mr Gormly said.
“He did it with a calmness and command that was really impressive.”
He said the call showed Mr Johnson managing the situation through constant interruptions by Monis, who had given him a written statement to read, and helping the triple OOO operator who was trying to get more information.
The final stage of the inquest, which is expected to last at least two months, will hear from the surviving hostages and take evidence about police tactics.
The panel of five UK experts headed by Detective Chief Inspector Simon Chesterman, head of armed policing in Britain, had access to statements, CCTV footage and other material and their report will be revealed at the inquest.
“The report questioned some of the decision-making on the day and some of the policies of the NSW Police force,” Mr Barnes said.
However he said that overall it supported the police actions.
The inquest continues in Sydney.
50,000 isolated, man found dead: Mid-north coast braces for more rain
A man has died and tens of thousands of residents remain isolated as torrential rain lashes the state’s Mid-North Coast as hundreds of rescues stretch emergency services to the brink.
‘Incredibly blessed’: Inside the Eels’ $70m inner sanctum
From rickety chairs and outdoor ice baths to the world’s largest rugby league training facility, the Eels’ swish new footy and admin precinct is unrecognisable from its old stomping ground. Take a look.