Claremont serial killings trial podcast: The Telephone Question

It was a seemingly out-of-the-blue, random question made by defence lawyer Paul Yovich on Day 37 of the trial, but as put by our criminal defence lawyer guest Shane Brennan, it’s a clever one.

That question: In 1996 and 1997, did the PathWest lab - which tested both the Karrakatta rape victim’s and Ciara Glennon’s fingernail samples - have a telephone?

With the follow-up question if the phone had ever been maintained during the late 1990s.

The accused Claremont Serial Killer Bradley Edwards worked for Telstra during that time, and as the podcast team explain, if the defence are trying to prove reasonable doubt through cross contamination, the question about the telephone is ‘clever’.

Our special guest, criminal defence lawyer Shane Brennan, who has more than 42 years’ experience with criminal trials, including murder and DNA, said the defence would try every avenue to prove reasonable doubt.

Hear the discussion with Natalie Bonjolo, Tim Clarke, Damien Cripps and special guest Shane Brennan about the day’s proceedings, plus on the special appearance by WA’s top cop in court on day 37 of WA’s trial of the century.

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