What people are saying about Lingering Doubts

“I think it’s amazing what Deb and Jan have done,” says [Bob] Bottom. “Let me tell you, I have been involved in investigative journalism for half a century, and they’ve done a job in some ways more professional than many professional journalists.” Murder in the Frame, Matthew Condon, QWeekend April 12-13 

 
‘It is astonishing to look at the Reg Brown murder case through contemporary eyes, and this is one of the finer achievements of Lingering Doubts. The passage of time has revealed the flaws in the design.’ Matthew Condon, QWeekend April 12-13

 
‘Their scrupulous research has resulted in a book that has been described as a pinnacle of investigative reporting......’ Editor QWeekend April 12-13

 
‘This is a book which has all of the classic ingredients of a “miscarriage of justice” case. ..... It is clear that they [the authors] have worked hard to do what those with legal responsibilities in relation to the case failed to do.’ Lingering Doubts Review - Dr Robert N Moles , NetK (former Assoc. Prof. of Law, Adelaide University Law School) 
Click here to read Dr Bob Moles' review of Lingering Doubts

Excerpt from Matt Condon's ABC interview - Bischof investigates 'Arcade Murder'

Just click below to listen to a brief excerpt from Matt Condon's (Jacks and Jokers) interview on ABC Radio with Paul Barclay - Matt discusses Frank Bischof, his high success rate in solving murder cases and Bischof's involvement in the extraordinarily swift apprehension of accountant, Reg Brown.




Deb and Jan

Anzac Day - Extracts from Lingering Doubts

‘Although Reg Brown was unable to join the forces during World War 1, [because of an inguinal hernia] Eva Brown’s family sent several young men off to the various campaigns on foreign continents. Two of Eva’s uncles, William and Alfred Winterford had fought with the Second Mounted Infantry Battalion in the Boer War, as well as the Great War. Lieutenant Alfred Winterford died in France in June 1918. The following month Eva’s brother Sergeant Harold Cocks, 23 years old, died of wounds received at Hamel. He received the British War Medal and Victory Medal and was buried at Crouy British Cemetery on the Somme. Richard Cock’s brother, Sergeant Claude Augustus Cocks, also a recipient of these two medals, was mentioned in Despatches at Passchendaele. He returned home ...’ p 40
‘If the 1930s were lean years of economic depression then they were only preparation for the war years to follow. Australia watched the mounting tensions in Europe at a long safe distance, but when Hitler invaded Poland, and England declared war on Germany, then the Australian Prime Minister Robert Menzies announced Australia was also at war. Every family prepared, including the Browns of Ryan’s Road, St Lucia. …Eva Brown joined the Red Cross. Reg … contributed in his own way to the war effort as an air raid warden for the area. Ian Brown was too young to enlist, but Reg Brown’s eldest daughter, Melva, 22, joined the Australian Women’s Army Service (AWAS) in 1943…General Sir Thomas Blamey and his staff resided at the bottom end of Ryan’s Road during the Pacific campaign…it was not unusual then for General Blamey to offer pretty Sergeant Melva Brown, smart in her uniform and waiting for a bus on the corner, a ride in his jeep.’ Pp 45, 46
Another family member, Lieutenant – Colonel Ian Marsh (Retired), our second cousin, served his country for many years in the Army (Engineers).
Deb’s maternal grandfather, Henry (Harry) Salmon, was a trooper in the 12th Light Horse Regiment. He returned safely and never forgot his courageous companion - his horse. 'Sardines'.
Lest we forget
Deb and Jan

Coming Soon - Lingering Doubts available at Mary Ryan's Milton

We are thrilled to advise copies of Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder will be available from Mary Ryan's Books, Music and Coffee on Park Road, Milton as of Monday 28 April. Books are also available from The Book Bank, Top Floor, Toowong Village.
Deb and Jan

Reg Brown's daughter speaks to Kenmore & District Historical Society

What a special evening we had with members and guests of the Kenmore and District Historical Society at the Kenmore Library on 17 April. Following our presentation of Lingering Doubts, (Jan's Mum), Val, courageously shared her reminiscences and the shock and heartbreak she experienced as an 18 year-old, when within the space of just over 2 months, her much loved father was arrested for murder, convicted and found dead in a Boggo Road Gaol cell. Val took her listeners back to 1947, to post-war Brisbane, and her carefree days growing up and living in leafy St Lucia. That was until one Saturday afternoon when three  detectives entered the family home. Val explained that although her Dad attempted to reassure his family, saying he'd be home soon, 'it's all a mistake', her father never returned.
We sincerely thank Pat Dryden, Sue Deal and other Society members for inviting us to share our grandfather's story; and for providing Val with the opportunity to tell her story publicly, for the very first time. The warm applause and beautiful words Val received confirmed for us that writing Lingering Doubts was absolutely the right thing to do.
Deb and Jan

Emma - Lingering Doubts web designer

We'd like to take this opportunity to recognise and thank our talented family friend Emma for designing the Lingering Doubts website....and for holding our hand while we became blogger savvy. Emma is one of our grandfather's best supporters and has made an enormous contribution to the Lingering Doubts campaign.
Please consider visiting Emma's delightful new online store and take a look at her unique and functional wares, all handmade by Australian artists. A great idea if you are searching for a special gift or a lovely piece for yourself.  To view Emma's ever-expanding range of beautifully designed jewellery, ceramics and homewares    please click here
Let's all support Emma and our Aussie artists.
Deb and Jan

Thank you Matt Condon and The Courier-Mail

An insightful and thorough analysis of our grandfather's case, thank you Matt. For anyone who missed the article on Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder, it appeared in yesterday's QWeekend magazine.  A digital copy can be seen on Dr Bob Moles' NetK website
courtesy of Bob Bottom.
Many, many thanks to all our supporters and well-wishers.
Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - QWeekend Magazine Saturday 12 April, 2014

Reminder: the article on Lingering Doubts - Going inside Brisbane's Arcade Murder written by Matthew Condon (Three Crooked Kings and Jacks and Jokers) will appear in the QWeekend  (a glossy magazine insert of the Courier-Mail) this Saturday 12 April.
Deb and Jan

sixty-seven years ago - part 10 - people are again talking about the Arcade Murder

Although 67 years have passed by since the names Reg Brown and Bronia Armstrong were in all the newspapers and on everybody's lips, this St. Lucia accountant and his 19 year old typist are once again becoming a topic of conversation amongst Brisbane residents.
 During the last couple of weeks we have been invited to share our grandfather's story with various groups, including the Brisbane chapter of Sisters in Crime (plus one gentleman) and the ladies from the Society of Women Writers. 
Furthermore, during Matt Condon's recent interview about his book Jacks and Jokers, held in Brisbane and conducted by ABC's Paul Barclay, Matt referenced our book and his upcoming QWeekend article including Frank Bischof's involvement in the solving of Bronia Armstrong's murder. As usual  Matt's intelligent and articulate delivery of the seedy and disturbing facts surrounding Queensland's past police and political culture drew a huge audience.
Click here to listen to Matt Condon's interview
 Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts - Response to Dr Bob Moles from Bob Bottom OAM

Bob [Moles]
May I congratulate you on your review of the book, Lingering DOUBTS, by Deb Drummond and Jan Teunis.
And thus I very much support your very professional assessment making it worthy of listing as a case for review by the proposed Australian Criminal Cases Review Commission.
May I draw your attention to something I drew attention to after a late reread of the book. It is a quote from Reg Brown from his only media statement, published on page 190 of the book, and which occurred just before the court announcement of his conviction, in an interview he gave just before he returned from the cells to the courtroom to hear the verdict:

“Well, the verdict could not be guilty. I am not guilty. I didn’t kill that girl. There can only be one verdict. I will be free in a few minutes.”

Which may I say fits in with your assessment of the belief of Brown at the time.
Something else I found extraordinary, in retrospect, in view of your assessment of the pace of the police action against Brown was that it was all over in just two months – his charging, committal for trial and the trial itself. Nowadays, most cases involve a lead up of a year or more before such a trial.
Regards
Bob [Bottom] 
Bob Bottom OAM is a long time supporter of Lingering Doubts. This incredibly courageous investigative reporter has written extensively on organised crime and initiated some 18 Royal commission and other inquiries. 
Deb and Jan

Click here to read Dr Bob Moles' review of Lingering Doubts

Reader review - Susan Deal

What a wonderful acknowledgement of your hard work posted on your website by Dr Moles.

Your father and his sister and extended family must be so proud of both you and Jan. It is a credit to you both that within just over a month your work has been recognised as a very meticulous presentation of facts revealed in your book and bound with love and pride. All those days and nights spent researching and then writing have brought you rewards you could never have dreamed possible when you set out on this journey.

I am thrilled that your book is opening the doors of justice and revealing the shoddy and dishonest men / women who were involved in Reg's trial and conviction. His defence team let him down without doubt but a more sinister shadow still lies over this case.

I hope that Matt Condon and others also researching this period in time stumble on a lead that will help solve the mystery of who did murder Bronia. Maybe you will - someone knows what did happen.

My very best wishes to you both in your search for the truth.

Regards,

Sue

Thank you so much Sue we forwarded your words to both Ian and Val. Yes let's hope one day the truth comes out.

Deb and Jan

Lingering Doubts review/analysis - Dr Bob Moles

A review of Lingering Doubts and an analysis of our grandfather's 1947 arrest and conviction  has been written and published by well-known and tireless campaigner for justice

Dr Robert N Moles.


Click here to read Dr Bob Moles' review of Lingering Doubts

Dr Bob Moles also writes:

Thanks very much for sending the copy of the book. It was a really interesting read, and if a few names and dates were changed it would fit the format of many of the miscarriages of justice which we are working on today. I feel desperately sad for Reg - I feel sufficiently convinced that he was not a sexual predator and you provided sufficient background information to make me feel confident that he was just the convenient scapegoat. What a tragedy for his family over and above the tragedy of this young girl's death.  

When I think of Reg as a quiet and earnest fellow just getting on with his job and trying to be nice to people - and how trusting he was to the police and everyone.  

The poor woman in Tasmania - Sue Neill-Fraser is just the same - she gave statements to the police and at the end of the day, the prosecutor just said liar, liar, liar, and in the total absence of evidence she got convicted. If she'd just kept her mouth shut, they wouldn't even have had that. Experienced criminals know that - murderers know that - but innocently accused don't know that.  

There are many accomplished lawyers and law students who would not have done as good a job on this case as you have done. I understand the difficulties in organising all of that information and then trying to tell it in a way that people can understand, Its not easy, and you have both done an excellent job of it. 

Do safeguard your files and docs. They might well come in useful one day. If we were to get a Criminal Cases Review Commission established, I'd like to see Reg's case first in there.  

All best wishes and a real privilege to know you both. You are a real credit to your family and to our community more broadly speaking.
Congratulations on a job well done,
Bob
 

Dr Bob Moles

Networked Knowledge
Tel 08 8270 6524
Mobile 0405 10 6524
Web: http://netk.net.au
Email: bobmoles@iprimus.com.au

"A State of Injustice" available as e-book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009ZCIN0S
"Losing Their Grip - the case of Henry Keogh" available as an e-book at http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A4TFL0G#reader_B00A4TFL0G
TV and radio programs online at http://netk.net.au/VideosHome.asp

 

Needless to say we feel extremely humbled and honoured. Our ultimate goal was always to have our grandfather's case reviewed, not really ever thinking it was possible, but who knows perhaps one day...

Deb and Jan