Stories
Lewis & Moore: Not All Black & White
Did Terry Lewis cover-up allegations of criminal sexual behaviour involving Dave Moore as far back as 1982? The possibility that the Commissioner "protected" the high-profile constable continues to remain troubling – more than four decades later… ABOVE - A most notorious black and white photo circa 1982: Convicted child sex abuser David Warren Moore (far right) a regular on-screen personality with Channel 7 Brisbane’s Super Saturday Program - with then Police Commissioner Terence Murray Lewis, “Agro” and Fiona McDonald (Left to Right)....
THE EKKA & JULIE-ANN GALLON – BY GREG FOX
Thirty-five years ago, I was living at Taringa, a leafy inner-western suburb of Brisbane and playing for the Bullets (my second season) in the NBL competition. From memory, these were pretty good times. The state capital was humming with its post-Expo vibe - although slightly countered by the gloomy discoveries and subsequent decrees of the Fitzgerald Inquiry. Early August each year I would work the official Bullets stand at the Royal Queensland Show aka “The Ekka”. Fair to say the team had an ardent following in the then emerging sports...
Postscript to Frank Bischof: The First Joke
By GREG FOX – True Crime Researcher & Essayist “Corruption is a crime between consenting adults in private. The best remedy for it is to shine a light on it” – Phil Dickie: Author “The Road To Fitzgerald” - from ABC Conversations (Brisbane 612AM) 2009 The Gerald Edward (Tony) Fitzgerald QC led “Commission of Inquiry into Possible Illegal Activities and Associated Police Misconduct” stands as a momentous event in the history of the sunshine state. Fitzgerald’s written submission into these matters (officially titled Report of a...
Poisoned Justice: Frank Bischof and the Southport Taxi Driver Murder Case – PART 2
The story by GREG FOX continues... Detective Inspector Bischof in 1951 Source: Wikimedia Commons The Cult Of Bischof Frank Bischof’s record as an investigator of major crimes enabled him to be considered one of the most effective detectives in Australian history. Today he is viewed as a black and white caricature of an older style of policing. For historians the former police chief represents an era in law enforcement in Queensland that would eventually be sullied by the admissions at the Fitzgerald Inquiry (being the “Commission of Inquiry...
Poisoned Justice: Frank Bischof and the Southport Taxi Driver Murder Case – PART 1
by GREG FOX The Southport Taxi Driver Murder case from 1952 and subsequent trial was a sensation within the Sunshine State. It also provided a considerable impetus for the career of rising detective in charge, Frank Bischof. But should events surrounding Bischof’s investigation into taxi driver Athol McCowan’s killing now be questioned? And what about the conviction of the notorious Arthur “Slim” Halliday for murder? “Justice is poisoned at the fount when police fabricate evidence. Bischof told a policeman named McMahon that police that were...
A high-rise homicide: Who killed Owen Crabbe at the Surfers Beachcomber?
Not more than 100m from the main beach at Surfers Paradise you can find the Beachcomber Resort. Situated down Hanlan Street, the Beachcomber is a somewhat dated 31-storey building that today is surrounded by innumerable shiny, glass laden five-star high rises. It’s a property that’s endured a number of refurbishments, as well as owners, over the years. Still, it retains that classic 1980’s feel – one that most holidayer’s associate with the Gold Coast. The hotel’s reputation has mostly been built on its location – a moderately priced place to...
Malice Or Jealousy: The Unsolved Murder Of Sharon Jones At Elizabeth City State University
Mitchell-Lewis Dormitory: Elizabeth City State University Seven days after the brutal murder of Sharon Beatrice Jones in her dorm room during spring break, Elizabeth City State University Chancellor Dr Jimmy R. Jenkins addressed a specially gathered student and faculty assembly in the Vaughan Center on campus. Jenkins was a distinguished looking man and a graduate of the university with a Bachelor’s degree in Biology. He would go on to have a highly successful career in university administration with future stops as Chancellor at Edward...
The Morning Of: Who Murdered Small-town Girl Susan Shearin-Clary
Who killed Susan Shearin-Clary and her unborn child in the small eastern North Carolina town of Weldon in May 1983? True crime researcher Greg Fox delves deep into the intrigue of this little-known unsolved murder and the search for answers - and justice - 40 years later. On viewing the Facebook page “Who Murdered Susan Shearin-Clary” you see mostly faded photos of a young Susan Shearin smiling back at you. She appears as a child from a different era. One of small-town America and a safe, modest upbringing. Other pictures show Susan and her...
Postscript – Christine Ann Coghill
“There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact”: Sherlock Holmes (from “The Boscombe Valley Mystery” – short story, 1891 by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) On the totality of the information, it is probable that Christine Coghill likely jumped from a moving car. The reason for her doing so seems to be fairly apparent. The 17-year-old felt somewhat trapped inside a car in the early hours of the morning with a person (possibly a stranger) who was threatening her with imminent violence and / or sexual assault. She made a spur of the moment...
All That Glitters: The tragic death of Christine Coghill
The lights of Surfers Paradise have always shone bright for teenagers looking for a big night out. For 17-year- old Christine Coghill, those lights had a special allure. An illuminated path to continue her end of high school celebrations. These were the last days of disco as the eighties ushered in a new dance floor vibe. A time when the lifestyles of Gold Coasters were more free-spirited - and perhaps, less aware of the dangers that lurked after dark. Christine had recently completed Year 12 at Miami High. The freckle-faced red-head was a...