The Snitch: Lawyer Michael Croke jailed for perverting the course of justice
The Snitch: Lawyer Michael Croke was jailed this week for perverting the course of justice — but why didn’t his defence ask the court to reduce his sentence in recognition of his prior good character?
NSW
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The legal fraternity was abuzz this week over the identities of the defence lawyers who were waiting in the wings to give unfavourable evidence against jailed solicitor Michael Croke.
The Snitch heard the prosecution was set to subpoena two lawyers in the event that Croke attempted to call on his good character to convince District Court Judge Helen Syme to give him a lesser sentence.
We’re told some people consider this a big “no-no” in the world of defence lawyers because there is an unspoken law of the legal jungle that defence lawyers don’t turn on defence lawyers.
As a short explanation, a person who had been found guilty of a crime can ask the court to recognise their prior good character (if it exists), with the result being that they get some time shaved off their sentence.
But we’re told Croke never used it in his case, which is unusual given his life’s work as a criminal defence lawyer.
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Our sources say Croke was blocked from raising his good character because the prosecution was set to subpoena two defence lawyers who would have given unfavourable evidence as to Croke’s character.
There was surprise among some sections of the defence fraternity that the two lawyers were seemingly willing to give evidence against a peer.
We contacted one of the lawyers, who said they were simply complying with their duties to the court because they had been subpoenaed to give evidence.
“If I was called, I would have told the truth,” the lawyer said.
We’ll let you make your own value judgment. The Snitch would love to say more, but the two lawyers did not end up being called to give evidence on the stand so we’re in defamatory territory if we reveal too much.
Croke was jailed for a minimum three years and nine months this week for perverting the course of justice over $700,000 belonging to a drug syndicate run by ex-US college football star Owen Hanson.
TALES FROM AN OLD SCHOOL CRIM
Graham “Abo” Henry’s recent appearance on boxer Jeff Fenech’s podcast, Standing 8 Count, was full of memorable tales.
Over the 52-minute podcast Henry gives a front bar-style oration on a range of topics, including chasing notorious cop Roger Rogerson through Moore Park with a shotgun and how he justifies his role in the heroin trade.
He also tells how fellow crooks have tried to kill him 20 times and that his one-time partner, Arthur “Neddy” Smith, was responsible for four of those attempts.
When Henry retells the stories of his life, you find yourself almost forgetting he was once one of Australia’s most dangerous criminals.
VIDAL HONOUR
A city police station reeling from the death of one of their own has found a way to honour their fallen colleague.
Constable Aaron Vidal was killed in a motorcycle crash on his way home from work at the Sydney City Police Area Command in June.
The 28-year-old left behind a fiancee, who is pregnant with their baby boy.
In a fitting tribute, Sydney City PAC will name a probationary constable award in his honour.
Got a Snitch? Contact Ava.benny-morrison@news.com.au or Brenden.hills@news.com.au