Justice Denied

Bill Hosking looks back at his career as a criminal barrister in a candid account of his time at the bar. He tells the true story behind some of his most famous cases, including the Hilton bombings, ‘Toecutter’ Jimmy Driscoll’s attempt to avoid prison time and the Anita Cobby trial. At Bill’s side we also meet some larger-than-life characters, such as Carl Synnerdhal, a professional bank robber who successfully convinced everyone he was blind and hoodwinked the system, as well as adversaries such as disgraced former detective Roger Rogerson. Bill Hosking’s clients have included, ‘… the notorious, the oppressed, the young and the old … the wise and the foolish …’. In the company of his colleagues, judges, prosecutors and defence lawyers, he reveals how the law courts give us an insight into human frailty and the dark side of human nature. Justice in any courtroom can be elusive. Yet, as Bill Hosking explains: ‘… a calm, composed, careful and competent judicial process is to what we aspire … when it is achieved, justice is never denied.’

About the Author :
Bill Hosking QC has been a barrister, public defender and District Court judge. He was also private secretary to a number of well known state politicians, including Ministers for Justice Jack Mannix and John Maddison, and Premier Robin Askin (assistant private secretary). He acted as defence counsel in the famous Jimmy Driscoll case, he appeared for Tim Anderson at an inquiry conducted by Justice James Wood, for the great hoodwinker Carl Synnerdahl, and for Michael Murphy one of Anita Cobby's murderers, among many others. Police verbals, suppression of evidence, limitations of the trial system, admission of false confessions and miscarriages of justice are all closely observed by Hosking. He also saw the law and its procedures change as a result of some shocking injustices. Now Hosking, along with journalist and screen-writer John Suter Linton, has assembled some of his experiences into Justice Denied where he presents 13 studies of important criminal cases. John Suter Linton has written four true-crime books: The Stranger You Know, Bound by Blood, An Almost Perfect Murder and Murder at Anna Bay. John has also worked extensively in radio, television and print media, and as a writer, journalist, researcher and producer. Robert Meldrum is an actor, director and teacher with over 35 years experience. His TV and film credits include Blue Heelers, Georgia and The Big Steal. Originally a member of the Australian Performing Group at the Pram Factory in Melbourne, he has performed with all the major Australian theatre companies and was a lecturer in acting at the Victorian College of the Arts for eight years.

Review :
'An eminently readable account of some of the most significant criminal cases in modern times by one of the most experienced and humane practitioners in the law.'