Chamberlain case books claim proof of innocence

Press, 15 August 1984, Page 32

Chamberlain case books claim proof of innocence

NZPA-AAP Sydney Two new books claim that further evidence in the Chamberlain case proves the innocence of the convicted murderer, Lindy Chamberlain. With the fourth anniversary of the disappearance of the baby, Azaria Chamberlain, on August 17, the two books are expected to tap the enormous amount of public interest that still surrounds the case. The self-published books are written by seperate members of the two main groups heading the campaign to free Mrs Chamberlain, serving a life sentence in Darwin’s Berrima Prison. Both, authors are firmly convinced that she is innocent. One camp, involving Phil Ward of Sydney, has concentrated its research and investigation on the theory put forward by the Chamberlains at the inquest and trial — that a dingo

took the baby.

The other group, involving Guy Boyd of Melbourne, has concentrated on the forensic evidence and the testimony of witnesses at the Ayers Rock camp-site on the night of the disappearance.

Mr Ward’s 192-page book, “Azaria: What the Jury Was Not Told,” is expected to be available in bookshops in a few days. Mr Boyd’s book, “Justice in Jeopardy,” of about 150 pages, will not be available until mid-September. Mr Ward’s book details what he believes really happened that night in August, 1980, and includes his theory that a man called by the pseudonym “Bob” played a large part in bringing about the successful prosecution of Mrs Chamberlain.

It also includes the full testimony of two Aboriginal trackers who, within hours of the disappearance, followed the dingo they alleged carried the baby from the Chamberlains’ tent. The trackers were only able’ to answer specific questions put to them at the trial.

It claims that the Chamberlains’ son, Regan, then three years old, told his parents a “doggie” had stood on him while he was asleep in the tent with his sister, Azaria, but this evi-

valid because he was too young. There are also photographs which Mr Ward claims settle the disputed evidence over the colour of the alleged killer dingo, “Scarface,” after advertisements all over Australia for the photographs. Mr Boyd’s book is the testimony of 12 witnesses who gave evidence at the trial, nine prosecution and three defence witnesses, who say they were not satisfied with the evidence they were able to give. They include the man who found Azaria’s bloodied jumpsuit, Wallace Goodwin; the nursing sister who was given a lift in the Chamberlains’ car and claimed there was no blood in the passenger seat, Rita Elspeth; and

Sally Lowe, who claimed to have heard Azaria cry after the time the police alleged she was already dead. The two groups in the Chamberlain campaign are working seperately to gain support and further evidence.

Mr Boyd’s group is attempting to get a judicial inquiry with the help of Senator Colin Mason of the Australian Democrats, whose private member’s Bill to that effect is expected to come up for debate in the next session which resumes on Tuesday, August 21. The other group is working through a new team of Sydney lawyers at a cost of more than $lO,OOO a week from publicly donated funds.