Court in the Act The West Australian

In December 2020 one WA’s most fearsome bikie heavyweights was assassinated in front of hundreds of people at the Kwinana Motorplex, sparking an unprecedented response from both police and politicians. 

Taskforce Ravello smashed in doors, raided properties, locked up people in the hunt for Martin’s killer. 

Meanwhile, Martins lavish and at times bizarre funeral was livestreamed as a procession of bikies followed behind the casket.

In this episode Tim is joined by Chief Reporter Ben Harvey, as they outline the events that led to the arrest of the Sniper, and another man, nicknamed The Baker, the alleged mastermind behind the killing.

Now in another bizarre twist the case is back before the courts, with Nick Martin’s widow lodging a claim for damages – against the State of Western Australia, and the shooter. 

Incredibly, the Sniper whose identity is suppressed made an extraordinary court appearance, claiming he doesn’t care who knows his name, despite being a marked man.

For all the latest on courts and crime visit thewest.com.au. If you have a question for the team or cases you'd like explored, please get in touch. Email courtintheact@wanews.com.au
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This month, Donald J Trump became the first president, present or former, to face a criminal trial in the United States. And the allegation was that he, and his minions, along with the National Enquirer “orchestrated a criminal scheme to corrupt the 2016 election”. 

A scheme involving a porn star, a publisher called Pecker, and an Australian sports reporter turned gossip king. 

Joining us to break down the case of THE PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK against DONALD J. TRUMP, is Associate Professor David Smith from the United States Studies Centre at the University of Sydney. 

Judge Juan Merchan has reprimanded the former President for his outspoken commentary about the trial, even fining the 2024 presidential candidate $900 for repeated breaches of a gag order. 

The Judge even hinted at prison if he was to continue. However, in this episode we outline the logistical, legal and political reasons Donald Trump will NEVER go to jail.

For all the latest on courts and crime visit thewest.com.au. If you have a question for the team or cases you'd like explored, please get in touch. Email courtintheact@wanews.com.au
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It began with a man, and then a boy. 

The massacre at Bondi Junction. And the stabbing of a bishop during a Wakeley church service. 

Both horrific actions were captured in real time, and the images of the knife, of the death, the horror the shock and the grief, then broadcast to the world. 

The mainstream media showed what they needed to amid the strict controls which govern what can be shown by an Australian media company. 

On social media – no such control.  

 Australia’s e-safety commissioner stood up and called for those images - to be taken down. X, formerly known as Twitter, refused. 

Dr Dana McKay, Associate Dean of Interaction, Technology and Information in the School of Computing Technologies at RMIT University joins host Tim Clarke to walk through the Government vs Goliath legal battle currently playing out in the Federal Court.

For all the latest on courts and crime visit thewest.com.au. If you have a question for the team or cases you'd like explored, please get in touch. Email courtintheact@wanews.com.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just after 2am on October 12, 2023 an ambulance raced to WA’s main maximum security prison Casuarina.  

A 16-year-old boy had self-harmed inside his cell at the notorious Unit 18 – the juvenile facility located within the grounds of the adult prison.  

The teen was rushed to hospital where was put on life support. One week later, surrounded by family, he took his final breath.  

After his death was grief. From his family, his friends and the community.  

But there was also outrage. How could this happen? Calls for change became deafening shouts.  

An inquiry was held and the revelations uncovered shocked the state.  

That boy’s name was Cleveland Dodd.  

Senior reporter Rebecca LeMay joins host Tim Clarke to walk through the Coronial inquest into Cleveland’s death.

***A warning to our Indigenous and Torres Strait Islander listeners, this episode contains the name of an Indigenous person who has died. This episode also contains content about suicide and self-harm and may be distressing. If you or anyone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 ***
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Kimberley Heptinstall was 32, the life of party. Everyone’s friend. 

She and her partner Travis Barnard met online and got engaged in June 2017.  

Until, after a planned elective surgery, Kim lost her life. Suddenly, tragically. 

The loss devastated her family. And left her partner bereaved, and apparently grieving. 

What Barnard did on the day his partner died in 2019 led him into court this week. 

Actions that to anyone who has lost someone too young are hard to hear, and hard to believe. 

Criminal lawyer Damien Cripps joins Tim Clarke to discuss all aspects of the case. 

For all the latest on courts and crime visit thewest.com.au. If you have a question for the team or cases you'd like explored, please get in touch. Email courtintheact@wanews.com.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blood, violence and death seem to follow the name Edhouse. 

Father and son Andrew and Robert are both bikies and linked to a string of gruesome crimes – including the disappearance of Kalgoorlie woman Lisa Govan.

Andrew Edhouse, one of WA’s most notorious bikies in the late 90s,  was a member of one of the “most secretive” bikie clubs in Australia - the Club Deroes.

In the late 1990s Perth was in the grip of a war between the Club Deroes and the Coffin Cheaters.

One casualty was Coffin Cheater Marc Chabriere, shot dead in his car in Welshpool. Edhouse was accused of his murder but later found not guilty.

The son, Robert Edhouse was also a bikie - the Perth leader of a group called Aryan Nations.

The neo-nazi was convicted along with his lover Melanie Attwood of the brutal murder of her ex-partner Alan Taylor in 2016. A crime Harvey describes as “full metal psycho behaviour”.

The West Australian's chief reporter and Up Late host Ben Harvey joins host Tim Clarke to explore the violent worlds of two members of one family, which collided in one shocking courtroom outburst. 

And could come together again before a coroner in a few short months. 

For all the latest on courts and crime visit thewest.com.au. If you have a question for the team or cases you'd like explored, please get in touch. Email courtintheact@wanews.com.au 
See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.