The Snitch: Why an ABC reporter wandered into a jury room
Did you hear the one about the ABC reporter who was forced to explain why she shouldn’t be charged with contempt when she walked into a jury room in the middle of a murder trial? The Snitch reveals what her excuse was.
Did you hear the one about the ABC reporter who was forced to explain why she shouldn’t be charged with contempt when she walked into a jury room in the middle of a murder trial?
ABC reporter Kate Cowling was hauled before Justice Monika Schmidt on December 4 over an incident in which she slipped past the sheriffs on a laneway door of the NSW Supreme Court in the CBD and let herself in the jury room.
The jury were in the room and were about to go back into court to resume hearing evidence in the case of Ammie Douglass, who was on trial for the stabbing murder of 69-year-old Chris Whiteley.
The sheriffs noticed Ms Cowling and believed they removed her before she could talk to any jury members and create a situation where they had to be discharged and the case started over.
The trial was delayed when the unimpressed judge called the reporter into the courtroom and asked her to explain why she should not be charged.
It was further delayed when Ms Cowling collapsed after being told this and had to be removed from the court by paramedics so the trial could resume.
When she recovered, the reporter told the judge she got lost looking for the entrance.
This was different to the explanation she gave the sheriffs: that she was looking for a bathroom.
Justice Schmidt said the explanation was “implausible” but let it slide.
Ms Cowling and the ABC hierarchy apologised to the court and were sent on their way.
NEW LEAD ROLE
Crown prosecutor Sally Dowling SC will be the lead lawyer on the state government’s Special Commission of Inquiry into Ice. Our spies say Director of Public Prosecutions Lloyd Babb SC sent staff an email this week congratulating Ms Dowling.
BORDER FARCE
Two Australian Border Force employees are under investigation for allegedly using a technical meltdown to siphon thousands of dollars from the Tourist Refund Scheme.
The TRS allows tourists to claim a GST refund if the tax was paid on certain purchases in Australia.
They can apply for the refund at airport terminals with the scheme handled by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection.
The Snitch has been informed that two ABF officers, a man and a woman, allegedly fudged the numbers at Sydney International Airport.
Earlier this year, the TRS system was down and staff had to process the refunds manually by taking the account details of travellers, a source reported.
Two ABF officers allegedly put their own bank card details down instead of the customers for refunds worth thousands.
GOT A SNITCH? Contact Ava.benny-morrison@news.com.au or Brenden.hills@news.com.au
Hundreds of cops gather, brace for October 7 protests, vigils
Police officers from across Sydney have gathered in their hundreds for briefings ahead of vigils and protests marking the grim anniversary of Hamas attacks on Israel.
‘Only choice is a tent’: Mass evictions at coastal complex
An “affordable” residential complex has given their dozens of residents 30 days to find a new home, after the property owners revealed they were ending the business’s leases.