Court in the Act The West Australian

Who, how and why. 

Put brutally, those are the three questions a coroner has to answer when investigating a death.  

Seemingly simple questions. But sometimes so hard to answer. Sometimes impossible. 

In the coming weeks and months in Western Australia, headlines will be writ large about inquests set to be held. 

Cleveland Dodd – the young man who died by his own hand in the custody of WA’s Department of Justice. 

JC – the young indigenous mother shot by a police officer in Geraldton. 

And Lisa Govan – the young woman last seen outside a Kalgoorlie bikie den in 1999. And then never seen again. 

All inquiries which all the families involved hope will provide some answers, some truth out of death. 

Joining Tim on Court in the Act is Noor Blumer – director of Blumer’s lawyers whose practitioners are well practised in representing those hoping for answers out of an inquest. 
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On a quiet and idyllic street in the leafy suburb of Floreat, in Western Australia, the actions of a man intent on revenge, sent shockwaves throughout the small community and beyond.

Mark Bombara had been searching for his estranged wife, instead he found her best friend Jennifer Petelczyc, 59 and daughter Gretl, 18, fatally shooting them both, before turning the gun on himself.

A senseless, brutal and cowardly act, which Bombara’s daughter Ariel, says was entirely preventable. 

Days after the horrifying triple murder-suicide, Ariel gave a television interview claiming they’d feared for their lives, not only warning police about his behaviour but also about Bombara’s cache of guns.

Arial Bombara also described the harrowing events that culminated in yet another act of domestic violence.

In this episode Tim is joined by Family law advocate Nicola Jansen from O’Sullivan Davies Lawyers to discuss why men’s violence towards women keeps happening, why laws are failing to protect them and how the process of obtaining Violence Restraining Orders could be changed.
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Serial stalker Kobi Jane Langshaw, whose obsessive contact with two men had chilling similarities with the Netflix smash-hit Baby Reindeer, has been banned for life from ever contacting her latest victims again. This is the TRUE story of a case that has eerie similarities to the Netflix smash hit.

Like Martha, Kobi Jane Langshaw had a background in the law, presented as affable, intelligent, and professional. 

Also like Martha, her obsessions, compulsions and delusions ravaged lives – and led to a stalker being slowly but surely exposed. 

The trial played out in WA’s Court, with the Magistrate stating “She is a highly intelligent woman, and she is skilled at lying to take advantage of others.  It is clear that she uses charm to manipulate others for personal gain. She holds a sense of superiority, and is very opinionated. When challenged, she becomes hostile, but can instantly switch back to being sweet and unassuming.”

In this episode Tim is joined by clinical and psychologist Professor Troy McEwan, from Swinburne University of Technology to discuss what constitutes stalking.

With 400 000 registered cases of stalking in Australia in just one year, they examine who stalkers are, and why their victims often must leap through hurdles to be taken seriously.
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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
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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 
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