CULT2016 Evidence and Investigation - Assessment 3

Assessment three (essay): - 1500 words

You are to research the conviction and subsequent acquittal of Lindy Chamberland.

Outline the evidence on which the person was convicted at trial and explain why the conviction was later overturned. In your answer reflect upon your knowledge of the investigative process and the nature and admissibility of evidence.

You may use any source documents that you like, but the most significant source documents have been uploaded to vUWS for your convenience. In relation to the Lindy Chamberlain case, the main source document is the Morling Royal Commission.

Ensure that your name and student number is placed on your individual essay. You do NOT need an assignment covering sheet as it is a Turnitin assignment.

A brief timeline is included below to assist you in understanding the case.

Lindy Chamberlain:

• 1980 disappearance of baby Azaria Chamberlain (parents Lindy & Michael Chamberlain).
• 1980/1 First coronial inquest into the disappearance and presumed death of Azaria accepts Lindy’s version that a dingo took the baby.
• 2^nd inquest recommends that jury might accept that baby Azaria was murdered.
• 1982 Lindy Chamberlain convicted of murdering Azaria.
• Lindy’s Appeal to Federal Court dismissed
• 1984 Lindy’s Appeal to High Court dismissed
• 2^nd February 1986 Azaria’s jacket found
• 7^th February 1986 Lindy released from prison on remission
• Morling Royal Commission of inquiry (Your main source document on vUWS).
• 1987 Lindy pardoned
• 1988 Lindy’s conviction for murder quashed by Supreme Court
• 1992 Lindy paid $1.3 million
• 1995 3^rd inquest into the disappearance returns an open verdict (ie: don’t know how Azaria died)
• 2012 coroner’s verdict that a dingo killed Azaria.