Maria James Thornbury bookshop murder: Criminal proceedings possible, Coroners Court hears

It’s 40 years since Maria James was stabbed 68 times at her Thornbury bookshop. But it’s been revealed criminal charges are still possible.

Police have revealed investigations into the cold case murder of Maria James at a Thornbury bookshop could lead to criminal action.

But her sons fear potential witnesses could die before a coronial inquest into the 40-year-old case begins.

The inquest on Monday suffered another delay with the coronial brief — running 11 months late — now not due until March next year.

It’s already running at about 1800 pages.

The Coroners Court heard police were conducting further investigations.

The Coroner’s investigator considered it “vital that these avenues are exhausted in full” before the brief was provided and any inquest commenced

Thornbury bookshop murder victim Maria James and her son Adam at the Grampians in 1980 Picture: Supplied

A Homicide Squad detective outside the Thornbury bookshop where Maria James was murdered in 1980.

It was possible these could lead to criminal proceedings relating to Ms James’ death, the court heard.

The pandemic had hampered the efforts.

The developments come after the Homicide Squad in the middle of last year concluded a cold case review of the murder, identifying several avenues of further investigation which remain ongoing.

These include revisiting original surviving witnesses and associates, reinvestigating information reports, forensic examination of exhibits and interviewing fresh potential witnesses.

Deputy State Coroner Caitlin English said she would allow proactive investigations to continue.

“I take into account the continuing distress the delay has caused the family,’’ Ms English told the court.

Ms James’ sons Mark and Adam were aged just 13 and 11 when their mum was killed. Nicole Garmston

The court was “very mindful” of the effects of time and potential loss of more evidence, she said.

A further directions hearing was scheduled for April 27 next year to consider the scope of the inquest and identify potential witnesses.

Ms James, a mother of two boys, was stabbed 68 times at the rear of her High Street bookshop on June 17, 1980.

DNA had cleared all suspects but one – paedophile Father Anthony Bongiorno, who died in 2002.

But a forensic bungle was later discovered, putting others back in the frame.

A 1982 coronial finding that Ms James was murdered by an unknown person was set aside two years ago.

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