Prosecutors asked for probe into Jason Roberts’ claims on Silk-Miller murders

Despite denying involvement, the Office of Prosecutions did play a role in sparking a review into Jason Roberts’ pleas of innocence over the Silk-Miller murders.

The Victoria Police reinvestigation into Jason Roberts’ pleas of innocence over the Silk-Miller murder convictions was prompted by the state’s then top prosecutor.

The spark to the review was a request by Roberts’ then lawyer, Marita Altman, who sought to have the case reviewed after initial lobbying of the police force failed in 2008.

A meeting was later held in 2012 at the Office of Public Prosecutions between then-DPP John Champion SC and senior prosecutors Gavin Silbert QC and Richard Lewis .

Roberts had been found guilty a decade earlier of the 1998 murders of Sgt Gary Silk and Sen Constable Rodney Miller, as was his father-figure and armed robbery partner, Bandali Debs.

Roberts had exhausted his appeals when he informed Ms Altman he wanted to tell police his story.

The decision was made at the meeting by Mr Champion to call in veteran homicide detective Ron Iddles.

Jason Roberts was this week acquitted of the Silk-Miller murders. Picture: David Caird

The then serving police officer attended a meeting with Mr Champion, Mr Silbert and Mr Lewis in late 2012.

The Office of Prosecutions in 2017 publicly denied involvement in sparking the Roberts review.

But diary notes and sources have confirmed to the Herald Sun the meetings were held and were ongoing throughout 2013.

After being told about the Roberts case, Sen Sgt Iddles briefed his direct superior, head of the homicide squad, Detective Inspector John Potter.

The push for a Roberts’ review then landed on the desk of crime department head, Assistant Commissioner Stephen Fontana soon after.

Victoria Police ultimately approved Operation Rainmaker - a highly guarded secret review of Roberts’ conviction and information about Debs, a serial killer.

veteran homicide detective Ron Iddles.. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Andrew Henshaw

Rainmaker was given intelligence resources and at least eight detectives, requiring a shifting of staff within the homicide squad.

Upon completion, Operation Rainmaker’s nine page report - and four folders of information - was handed to the Director of Public Prosecutions on December 4, 2013.

It caused rifts within the force between Sen Sgt Iddles and his managers, who had wanted to read it before it was given to the DPP.

Others told Sen Sgt Iddles to take the report directly to the DPP.

The secret report ultimately found Roberts’ claims might have merit.

“The account now given by Roberts is after thirteen years in prison,” Sen Sgt Iddles wrote.

“Some will take the view he has had a lot of time to think about it and come up with a concocted story in an attempt to be released from prison by some legal mechanism.

“The other view is he might actually be telling the truth, and if that is the case then it is a matter for the judicial system to set the record straight.”

Iddles also concluded: “I am unable to find any material or evidence which would show Roberts’ new account is contradicted in any way by evidence presented at the original Supreme Court trial.”

Sen Constable Rodney Miller and Sgt Gary Silk were shot on duty.

Operation Rainmaker had been a year-long investigation with two key objectives: to test Roberts’ claims of innocence and to delve into a series of cold case killings allegedly committed by Debs.

The work of Rainmaker was put into the force’s Interpose case management system, which the force’s command had access, including Chief Commissioner Ken Lay.

As part of the probe, an interview was conducted with Lorimer taskforce head Superintendent Paul Sheridan, who had probed the Silk-Miller murders.

Life inmate Roberts, Debs and his ex-girlfriend, Nicole Debs, were also interviewed.

Ms Altman was with Roberts for the interview.

Later in 2013, Ms Debs was approached by Sen Sgt Iddles as part of the Operation Rainmaker probe.

In a nine-page statement she said Roberts was with her on the night of the murders and her father had gone out alone.

Ms Debs’ statement would raise alarm.

Ms Debs, who was by then a mother, stated the following;

“I have not seen Jason Roberts for over six years, and I now have a new life,” she stated.

“I do not want to see Jason Roberts and I can assure you I would not lie for him.

“What I want to do is set the record right, and confirm with you Jason Roberts was home with me on the night of 15 August, 1998.”

She signed her statement on November 12, 2013.

The Rainmaker report formed part of Roberts’ petition of mercy to Victoria’s Attorney-General.

Ultimately the case went back to court.

And on Monday, Roberts was acquitted of the murders of Sgt Silk and Sen Constable Miller after serving almost 22 years in prison.