CLAREMONT: The Trial

Latest Episodes:

S2E78: Pre-Murder Fibres No Match to Post-Murder Fibres Apr 23, 2020

Show notes

**BREAKING: We’ve received a last-minute email from the WA court, there will be no Claremont Trial tomorrow (Friday April 24), court will resume on Tuesday, after the Anzac Day long weekend***

Fibres from anywhere and everywhere the victims went, alive and dead were tested by Chem Centre to try and find any matches to the critical fibres.

There was a huge amount of detail put into the testing - Fibres from the carpet of the Continental Hotel, Jane Rimmer’s hairbrush, Ciara Glennon’s hairbrush. Socks, a toy rabbit, a ribbon from a diary and the carpet from Ciara’s room. Her car and Una Glennon’s sewing machine.

Even the zipper lining from the inside of the body bag Ciara Glennon was placed on. A huge level of detail.

What they found was none of the fibres from around Jane and Ciara’s lives - before they disappeared - matched the critical fibres.

But 98 fibres found on their bodies after their murders match Telstra shorts and the car Bradley Edwards drove in the 90s.

The full 98 fibres have now been discussed in court, but that’s not the end of the evidence from Rees Powell, he’ll be cross examined on Tuesday.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Emily Moulton as they discuss day 78 of WA’s trial of the century.

The West Australian has also released a two-part video series, as Tim Clarke takes you through the areas which are key to the trial, from Claremont, where the women went missing, to Hollywood hospital and to the sites were Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies were found.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E77: The Pristine Hair Sample Apr 22, 2020

Show notes

For the first time, the court was shown a picture of a pristine hair sample, which was never touched before

RH17 was the hair sample taken from Ciara Glennon when her body was found in bushland off Pipidinny road in Eglington on April 3, 1997.

This hair sample is so important because it was taken before anyone had a chance to inspect Ciara’s remains, and is seen as one of the most accurate pieces of evidence showing exactly what was on Ciara Glennon before any investigators, pathologists, detectives and scientists were in contact with her samples from her remains.

During the post-mortem portion of the trial, avid listeners will remember the person who collected this fibre was never really known, because the police video at the scene didn’t capture it - the mostly likely reason was because during the collection of this fibre, the camera operator was changing the camera battery.

During today’s evidence, it was revealed two fibres were found. Those fibres were found to match the fibres from the Telstra pants worn by employees in the 90s.

During day 77’s evidence, fibre expert Rees Powell spent another long day on the stand.

He gave evidence of the rest of the fibres found on Ciara Glennon, as well as some fibres from the car driven by Bradley Edwards in the late 1990s.

Some of those fibres didn’t exactly match fibres found on Jane, Ciara or the Karrakatta rape victim, but some of the fibres from the Telstra pants matched the car, and the fibres from the Telstra pants matched the fibres found on the victims.

A slightly complicated bit of evidence, which Justice Hall jumped on and asked Rees Powell several questions on.

As criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps described the how this evidence could be interpreted - even though the fibres don’t match, they actually do.

We’re through 94 out of the 98 fibres have been run through to now.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E76: The FBI Petri dish Which Allegedly Links a Rape and a Murder Apr 21, 2020

Show notes

Tiny strands of Ciara Glennon’s hair were sent to the FBI in 1999. Those hair strands in a Petri dish have become vital in the prosecution’s case - allegedly linking Ciara Glennon to the Karrakatta rape victim, and both of them to Telstra shorts, the like Bradley Edwards used to wear as a technician in the 1990s.

The blue polyester fibres were two of 41 critical fibres found on Ciara Glennon.

Other critical fibres found from who the prosecution says is the third victim of the Claremont Serial Killer, Ciara Glennon, were compared not only the Holden Commodore VS series 1 which Bradley Edwards drove in the late 90s, the database created for the investigation also found several other cars - of different makes and models seemed similar to the grey fibres found in Ciara Glennon’s hair.

A Ford Falcon, a 1995 Toyota Camry and a 1997 Toyota Camry were among the cars tested.

As both Tim Clarke and Alison Fan explain in this episode, what’s interesting is that the grey fibre ‘corresponded’ with the carpet fibres from the 1997 Toyota Camry, and when asked by Justice Hall, the witness Rees Powell conceded that the 1997 Toyota Camry could be a source for that fibre.

But as the podcast team discuss, this is one of 98 fibres, but it’s something the defence would probably jump on when it comes time for Rews Powell’s cross examination.

There’s 25 fibres to go in the fibre evidence, with the witness spending a mammoth 6 days on the stand already, it’s expected he will continue to give evidence for the rest of the week.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they discuss day 76.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E75: The First Physical Evidence Linking Jane and Ciara Apr 20, 2020

Show notes

One slide of two microscopic fibres compared to each other shown to the court on day 75.

That’s the first piece of physical evidence in the trial - 5 months in - that forensically links Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon.

The blue polyester fibres, found on Ciara’s shirt and in Jane Rimmer’s hair were compared on a slide and shown to the court. This is one of just a handful of evidence that the prosecution can present that shows Jane and Ciara are linked to the crime, outside of circumstantial evidence.

You can see that fibre at thewest.com.au

We got through 25 fibres today, and as Tim Clarke explains in this episode, while it feels like Groundhog Day, the evidence is important, because it's what the prosecution say links two of the murder victims, along with the rape Bradley Edwards has admitted to, to him, his car and his workwear.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E74: The Karrakatta Rape Victim, Jane and Ciara Connected Through a Blue Fibre Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

During day 74’s evidence, the court heard that Ciara’s hair mass was split into 16 sections, and was meticulously examined for 17 days at Chem Centre.

During his fourth day on the stand, Chem Centre scientist Rees Powell was again giving evidence, today focussed on the 41 critical fibres found on Ciara Glennon.

We got through 8 today, and 32 of the full 98 fibres critical to the prosecution’s case.

As Tim Clarke explains in this episode, the prosecution may have been optimistic with their timeline of the fibre evidence. It takes around 8 hours to go through eight fibres, so luckily this podcast helps break down that immense detail.

The part of the evidence Tim Clarke said he finds interesting, is how close the investigations into the fibres were to the start of the trial. One of the critical fibres was found in 2018, and a comparison with fibres from Bradley Edwards’ car made in May 2019 - just two months before the trial was originally due to start.

As we know the trial was delayed for further fibre evidence, which we are now seeing why. This is how the prosecution say the Karrakatta rape victim, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon are linked to Bradley Edwards.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Alison Fan as they take you through day 74’s proceedings.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E73: The 1000 Fibres Found in Jane’s Hair Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

The sheer lengths ChemCentre scientists went to, to test the MACRO exhibits were again showed during the day’s evidence.

After Jane’s hair was separated, run under a polilight, tweezed, shoock and looked over many times to find fibres, another method was used to try and find more.

Her hair mass was washed and filtered - and 1000 new fibres were found.

As Forensic expert Brendan Chapman explains, it’s not a method commonly used.

22 of those fibres are critical to the prosecution’s case.

And one of them is unique - a blue-grey polypropylene fibre. When the car Bradley Edwards drove in the 90s was seized in 2016, that lone fibre found in Jane’s hair ‘matched’ with a fibre from the boot of the car.

This evidence came right at the end of the day, and there’s more to come.

In this episode, Brendan Chapman explains what it means when the witnesses say fibres ‘matched’ with one another, and why he doesn’t like using that word, even though it’s the best word to describe fibre features corresponding with each other.

He tells us that even though fibres can match, scientists can’t tell us where the fibres originated.

Tim Clarke has compiled his own spreadsheet of the fibres, where they came from and why they’re important - he takes us through the critical ones key to the prosecution’s case.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Brendan Chapman as they take you through day 73’s proceedings.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E72: The Moment the Forensics linked Ciara and Jane’s Murders Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

Although the MACRO taskforce had investigated Jane, Ciara and Sarah’s disappearances together since the moment Jane went missing, but before 2012, there was no physical evidence linking the murders.

On Day 72 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, a ChemCentre scientist recounted the moment the first alleged forensic links were made, connecting Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s murders.

In 2012, blue polyester fibres found in Jane’s hair and on Ciara’s shirt were compared to each other, and matched.

For the first time, a forensic, physical, tangible link was made to link the murders of Jane and Ciara.

But they didn’t know where it came from.

It wasn’t until after Bradley Edwards’ arrest in 2016 that they tested Telstra pants - and they were found to match the colour and fibre make-up of the fibres found on Jane and Ciara.

Mr Powell also detailed how blue fibres found on the shorts the Karrakatta rape victim was wearing, also matched fibres of Telstra shorts from the 1990s, which police had sourced from former Telstra workers, as well as fibres found on Ciara Glennon.

As we know, Bradley Edwards has pleaded guilty to the rape at Karrakatta, but he denies the murders of Sarah Spiers, Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon.

During his second day on the stand, forensic scientist Rees Powell took the court through the individual critical fibres to the trial, what other fibres they match and why they’re important.

We got through 5 fibres today, so strap yourselves in for a long haul.

But as Tim Clarke and Damien Cripps explain, this evidence is so important to linking Jane Rimmer physically and forensically into the trial.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Damien Cripps, as they discuss the evidence from day 72.

***We couldn’t be in the studio today and are all on the phone, please bear with the audio quality***

Justice Hall has released some exhibits from the fibre evidence to the public, you can find those photos on thewest.com.au

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E71: Looking For a Needle in a Haystack Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Today in court we found out a world-first fibre database was created specifically for the Claremont Serial Killings trial, which led to a ground breaking new way of investigating fibres now used as the standard method of fibre matching.

The scientists who were testing the fibres found in Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s hair saw that they looked similar to those found in cars.

So, they took off their lab coats and went out into the field, specifically wrecking yards, the police compound and tested cars - though trial and error.

After years of finding fibres, testing and ruling them out, they finally found their needle in a haystack - the fibres were strikingly similar to those found in a Holden Commodore Stationwagon VS 1 or 2.

The incredibly detailed work was done by scientists who had to cross reference more than 4000 fibres they found on the victims.

The scientists literally had to take each fibre one-by-one and look at them through a microscope to compare to the MACRO fibres - and they did it in the hopes of finding a match - they didn’t have anything to cross reference, until December 2016.

We previously heard scientists spend 11 days combing through Bradley Edwards’ former Telstra car, and even longer testing the fibres.

As we’ve heard before, 41 critical fibres were found in Ciara Glennon’s hair, and 22 were found in Jane Rimmer’s hair.

Once Bradley Edwards was arrested in 2016, detectives had the confirmation Telstra was involved - previously we’d heard WA police investigated Telstra in 1997 - and in 2018, they got hold of pants worn by Telstra workers in the mid-late 90s, and the same intricate, detailed tests were compared to the fibres found on Jane, Ciara and importantly the link to the living victim - the Karrakatta rape victim.

The West Australian has released a two-part video series, as Tim Clarke takes you through the areas which are key to the trial, from Claremont, where the women went missing, to Hollywood hospital and to the sites were Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s bodies were found.

To watch those videos, head to:

Part 1:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-on-a-visual-tour-of-claremont-ng-b881516606z

Part 2:

https://thewest.com.au/news/claremont-serial-killings/claremont-serial-killings-trial-tim-clarke-takes-you-to-wellard-and-eglington-ng-b881517153z

If you have any questions for the Claremont in Conversation podcast team, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E70: Fabric Under Scrutiny Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

That crucial Telstra Blue fibre was again under the spotlight on day 70 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial, this time by the defence.

Joined by prominent Perth criminal defence lawyer Tom Percy QC, the podcast team discuss what the defence will try to argue to place enough reasonable doubt in the fibre evidence.

The argument - that the ‘Telstra Blue’ colour wasn’t always exclusive to Telstra, the colour was supplied to other, smaller businesses throughout the 90s.

But the prosecution say that it’s the combination of the fibre material - the unique mixture of cotton and viscose - and the Telstra blue colour that makes it exclusive to Telstra workers’ uniforms.

Hear the opinion of one fo Perth’s top criminal defence lawyers about how he thinks the trial is going, and whether he thinks - if convicted - the location of Sarah Spiers could be revealed.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke and Tom Percy QC as they discuss day 70 of WA's trial of the century.

The trial will take a break over Easter, returning on Tuesday April 14.

In the mean-time, keep an eye out for a special video series as Tim Clarke takes you through the areas crucial to the trial.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

S2E69: Telstra Blue Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

Telstra Blue.

The fibre that delayed the trial of the century for more than four months.

And it’s the fibre which the prosecution say was found in Jane Rimmer and Ciara Glennon’s hair.

A piece of material, from a pair of Telstra pants which were used in 1996 and 1997 was tested as late as May 2019.

The trial was originally due to start, but the prosecution - and the judge found this evidence important enough to delay the trial until November.

On day 69 two witnesses told the court in minute detail, of how fibres are woven into pieces of fabric, which fibres are used and how they’re dyed.

Criminal defence lawyer Damien Cripps joins us for today’s podcast episode, he describes how the prosecution are trying to prove - beyond reasonable doubt - that the fibres found in the hair of Jane and Ciara are from pants worn by a Telstra worker through the fibres and that Telstra worker is Bradley Robert Edwards.

As Alison Fan explains, the colour of the Telstra pants was made specifically for Telstra, in fact the dye made for those pants was called Telstra Blue.

But we haven’t heard from the defence yet, Paul Yovich asked to delay the cross examination until tomorrow.

Join Natalie Bonjolo, Alison Fan and Damien Cripps as they discuss - and debate day 69 of the Claremont Serial Killings trial. They also answer some listener questions.

If you have any questions for the podcast team, or any of their guests, send them in to claremontpodcast@wanews.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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