Home  |   Lying lab boss Cathie Allen belatedly sacked

Lying lab boss Cathie Allen belatedly sacked

Posted on Categories Criminal law, Evidence Tags , , 1 Comment on Lying lab boss Cathie Allen belatedly sacked

Cathie Allen led the DNA lab that was plagued by scandal as a result of a decision taken in 2018 to test DNA samples in a way that resulted in low-level DNA samples being deemed as “DNA insufficient for further processing” and often led to inconclusive results.

Last year, Allen had recommended low-level DNA samples should go straight to amplification rather than be micro-concentrated which was widely considered to be best practice in order to cover her tracks.

The whistle was blown at Queensland’s Forensic and Scientific Services lab in 2021 and eventually led to the commission of inquiry headed by Walter Sofronoff KC.

At the commission of inquiry, Counsel assisting Michael Hodge SC  squarely accused Ms Allen of lying.

Cathie Allen lied about her the probity of her role in the 2018 change in DNA samples testing, lied about deliberately providing false information, lied about covering her tracks and lied about whether she was lying.

Sofronoff KC found that Allen had tried to cover up her “grave maladministration involving dishonesty” using a “deliberately crafted series of lies and misleading dodges”.

Her conduct recalls Sir Walter Scott’s words in “Marmion”:

“Oh what a tangled web we weave, When first we practice to deceive”.

Now it has been revealed that Allen was sacked late Wednesday afternoon in a formal letter sent to her legal team.

Finally. Good riddance to bad rubbish.

The debacle Allen caused continues to plague the Qld’s justice system with 10,000 cases awaiting analysis in a severe backlog.

The lab, which has 60 full-time equivalent lab staff and 21 reporting scientists, is now reviewing thousands of sexual assault cases dating back to 2008.

Jarryd Hayne sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment for sexual assault

Posted on Categories Criminal law Tags , , , , Leave a comment on Jarryd Hayne sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment for sexual assault


Former rugby league star Jarryd Hayne has been sentenced to four years and nine months imprisonment for sexually assaulting a woman in Newcastle.

Last month, Hayne was again convicted by a jury for these offences. He was subsequently remanded in custody.

Hayne’s previous conviction was set aside on appeal with a re-trial ordered.

This sentence was lighter than his previous sentence of five years and nine months.

He will be eligible for parole in just under two years due to time already served.

Hayne intends to again appeal his conviction and sentence.

Why do you need a lawyer?

Posted on Categories Criminal law Tags , , 2 Comments on Why do you need a lawyer?

barrister

Why do you need a lawyer? On some level this is a basic and obvious question, but there is a lot more to the answer than first meets the eye. Although it seems like a pretty obvious question, there are in fact a number of advantages of having a lawyer. Continue reading “Why do you need a lawyer?”

Debacle after Bruce Lehrmann charges dropped

Posted on Categories Criminal law, Defamation, Legal profession Tags , , , , , , , , Leave a comment on Debacle after Bruce Lehrmann charges dropped

 

Bruce Lehrmann, the former parliamentary political staffer who was accused of raping a colleague named Brittany Higgins at Parliament House has had all charges dropped again him.

This occurred after the trial had to be postponed because Lisa Wilkinson gave a speech at The Logie Awards, and when the trial finally took place, the jury had to be discharged because of juror misconduct.
Continue reading “Debacle after Bruce Lehrmann charges dropped”

© Sterling Law QLD . All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2017-2022 Sterling Law (Qld) Pty Ltd ACN 165 643 881