Shandee's Story - TopPodcast.com

Latest Episodes:

Episode 18: Fair Go Mar 24, 2022

Show notes

Will Shandee Blackburn ever get justice? Will systemic flaws in Queensland’s forensic lab be independently investigated by the authorities?

In this episode of the podcast series – which is pausing until new leads arise – Dr Kirsty Wright reveals the letter she confidentially wrote to Queensland’s corruption-fighting agency about the broken lab and her concerns that its problems are more serious than they first appeared.

John and Shandee's former friend Jarrod Hau describes as untrue a claim John made to detectives and friends after the murder.

Police investigate whether a taxi driver picked up John when he had a bandaged right hand in the days after Shandee’s murder.

Vicki and Shannah’s tireless search for justice continues and more developments will come as DNA in Shandee’s case and other leads are reinvestigated by the coroner.

Subscribers to The Australian have exclusive first access to episodes of Shandee's Story via The Australian app. Subscribe to The Australian here.
You can download on The Australian's app in Apple's store here.

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To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 17: Through The Cracks Mar 17, 2022

Show notes

Evidence that appears to have fallen through the cracks in Shandee’s case is revealed as John Peros’s flat – and its hiding places – gets a fresh examination in light of new information from a listener.

Retired homicide detective Scott Furlong recalls his visit to the flat the day after the murder as part of the investigation, of seeing apparent renovation works, and then noting a year later the elaborate concealment spaces which had been created by John. The smell of paint or bleach the day after the murder weighs heavily for those who heard about it.

A domestic violence expert examines John and Shandee’s abusive relationship.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 16 - Running Mar 09, 2022

Show notes

The footsteps of a running man captured in CCTV footage seconds before and after Shandee’s slaying are re-enacted to test a theory that the running man didn’t have enough time to be her killer.

Criminal lawyer Kristy Bell explains the legal principle of double jeopardy and the evidence required to recharge an offender for the same crime under Queensland law.

In 2019, the inquest hears detailed police evidence about the CCTV compilation of a suspect's vehicle. John Peros enters the witness box after being compelled to give evidence and reports suffering from memory problems that go back years.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 15: Spin Cycles Mar 02, 2022

Show notes

Queensland’s government-run forensics lab has been using a testing threshold that is preventing it from detecting DNA in many samples, says Dr Kirsty Wright, with potentially catastrophic consequences for victims of violent crime. A t-shirt described as 'blood-soaked' is found at a Mackay business near the murder scene – but the lab reports “No DNA detected”.

A truck driver who is sure he saw Shandee’s handbag at a Mackay rubbish dump just days after the murder says his information wasn't followed up by detectives for two months.

In 2019, the inquest examines new persons of interest.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 14: Renewed Hope Feb 23, 2022

Show notes

Forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright says she’s found irrefutable evidence that the forensics train wreck in Shandee’s case is not a one-off incident – and reveals the shocking results that have led her to believe many victims of rape and serious sexual assault have been denied a fair shot at justice.

In 2017, a recently acquitted John Peros insists on the return of his Toyota Hilux – but coroner David O’Connell seizes it under his coronial powers and scours the vehicle for clues. The vehicle and its unique features are examined by a retired photogrammetrist.

And as the ninth anniversary of Shandee’s murder passes, coroner O’Connell formally reopens the coronial investigation into Shandee’s death, giving the Blackburn family renewed hope for justice.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 13: Unheard Evidence Jan 09, 2022

Show notes

Shandee’s family reflect on a justice system they say failed Shandee and share who they believe her real killer is – and why he escaped justice. Unheard evidence is examined. More DNA problems and omissions are discovered by Dr Kirsty Wright who is joined by another forensic scientist in expressing serious concerns about the lab. A new person of interest comes into view.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 12: Herring and Shark Jan 03, 2022

Show notes

The prosecutor Josh Phillips argues CCTV footage proves John is a killer and William Daniel a red herring, while Craig Eberhardt responds with a large display photo of a great white shark – and tells jurors it's the real killer, William Daniel.

Text messages between John and Shandee are read to the jury – but many depicting John's menacing behaviour and his anger are not provided. The sample puts Shandee in a poor light.

Justice Jim Henry tells the jurors he's making a very rare decision to order Levii Blackman go into the witness box, after the prosecution refuses to call the self confessed liar.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 11: Lollies Jan 02, 2022

Show notes

John’s defence lawyer Craig Eberhardt smashes the credibility of three key Australia Day witnesses as they try to deny obvious references to illicit drug use in text messages about “lollies”. Their evidence of hearing John say hatefully that Shandee should be stabbed is undermined.

Craig highlights a tenuous purported DNA 'link' between William Daniel and the murder - and when a forensic scientist says it is statistically "meaningless", the judge tells the jury to ignore his comment.

Cyclone Debbie looms and tensions rise as William Daniel's lengthy criminal history is read to the jury, sparking fiery scenes.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 10 - Blood Dec 26, 2021

Show notes

John Peros’s murder trial begins, and John's criminal defence lawyers fight to have evidence they believe is unfair to their client excluded.

Evidence police labelled as ‘blood’ in John’s Toyota Hilux is ruled inadmissible by the trial judge because the results of the presumptive Luminol testing were not conclusive. The excluded ‘blood’ samples could still contain crucial DNA evidence, says forensic biologist Dr Kirsty Wright.

And, just before this episode's release, the government announces in Parliament it will ask for the inquest into Shandee's death to be reopened after Dr Wright's revelations on Shandee's Story.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episode 9: Fast Hands Dec 21, 2021

Show notes

Detectives face tough questions from John Peros’s legal team at a committal hearing prior to his murder trial. William Daniel and Levii Blackman are witnesses – and Levii denies William told him, 'I did it'.

Frustrated detectives sought answers for the lack of forensic evidence. The lab’s suggestion bacteria may have interfered with DNA testing is “ludicrous”, says forensic scientist Dr Kirsty Wright. Problems with the lab date back years, and Dr Wright believes major changes to software and equipment just weeks before the murder are at the heart of the faults.

Vicki and Shannah Blackburn stand with Dr Wright just before the release of this episode, calling for a public inquiry and retesting by another lab of all forensic samples in Shandee’s case as a matter of urgency. A cane farmer finds a blood-stained knife he suspects is linked to the murder, but the lab finds no DNA.

Also get it on Google Play here.

To contact Hedley Thomas anonymously with any information on Shandee's Story, email Shandee@theaustralian.com.au

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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