Jason Roberts case: Victoria Police faces ‘enduring grief and sadness’
Victoria’s most senior police have expressed dismay after convicted cop killer Jason Roberts was freed but the hierarchy failed to address the force’s involvement in the case collapsing.
Victoria’s most senior police have expressed dismay after convicted cop killer Jason Roberts was freed but the hierarchy failed to address the force’s involvement in the case collapsing.
Police chief commissioner Shane Patton said he had known Rodney Miller and Gary Silk and was devastated by the court’s decision to free one of the men convicted of killing the officers in 1998.
Mr Patton said the Victorian Supreme Court verdict to free Mr Roberts, who was only a teenager when accused of his role in the executions, had been “very disappointing”. “They were murdered, we mourn them still. We do every day,” he said.
The shooting deaths, which happened while the policemen were trying to thwart an alleged armed robbery, were among the worst recorded in Victoria: one of the officers was shot execution-style through the head.
Mr Roberts has always maintained his innocence, claiming he was with his girlfriend the night multiple murderer Bandali Debs struck when the officers detected them in a suburban street.
The police handling of the case has faced heavy scrutiny in recent years because of questions about how police evidence was handled.
The Court of Appeal ruled that police misconduct undermined Mr Roberts’ 2002 trial after Victoria’s anti-corruption commission investigated allegations some officers who were with the dying Miller had their witness statements revised and backdated.
Policeman Glenn Pullin’s second statement was reportedly backdated and presented as an original.
The Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission found that some improper evidentiary and disclosure practices were used by some officers during the Silk-Miller murder investigation.
Several statements made by important witnesses were never included in the prosecution brief or disclosed at trial, IBAC said. This had undermined the chances of Mr Roberts being afforded a fair trial.
“IBAC is concerned that the improper practices identified in Operation Gloucester continue to be used by some Victoria Police officers today, and this has the potential to adversely impact the administration of justice in Victoria,” IBAC said in 2020.
The mishandling of the case comes after years of controversy faced by Victoria Police that has included the fallout of the gangland war and some of its key players.
Former police chief Neil Comrie, who was running the force when the killings happened, also stridently backed investigators.
“My absolute confidence in the Lorimer Task Force under the leadership of Detective Superintendent Paul Sheridan has never wavered,” he said. “Their dedication and professionalism in solving these abominable crimes was outstanding. Today’s jury decision does not in any way reduce my respect and confidence in the work of these highly professional investigators.
“Although there will be obvious disappointment felt by many at this outcome, I have no doubt that the members of Victoria Police will continue to serve the Victorian community with courage, honour and dedication, despite this and the many other tragedies that have befallen our members.
Victorian Police Association secretary Wayne Gatt said the decision would bring “enduring grief and sadness” but threw his support behind the investigators.
“I do want to say a couple of quick words about the investigators who have worked so tirelessly over this period to not only investigate but prosecute and bring that prosecution,” he said.
“They should stand with their heads held high today. They have done their absolute best and (the) policing community and the community will be proud. They should take nothing away from today’s decision other than to know that they did their very best and that we have (the greatest) respect (for them).”
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