The Case Of

An undercover trip to Hungary was a key part of the Irma Palasics murder investigation – and just one of the things the jury never heard about. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver reveal some of the most fascinating parts of the case that we weren't able to discuss until after a verdict was delivered. If you have any questions for Liz, James or Stocky you'd like answered in future epi...

As soon as special forces veteran Ben Roberts-Smith was arrested for alleged war crimes, you started to email us. Now he's been released on bail and we didn't want to leave you hanging. In this episode, the ABC's legal affairs reporter Jamie McKinnell explains the arguments heard in court, why bail was granted and the eye-watering security that was paid on Ben Roberts-Smith's behalf. Catch up on J...

You asked, and now we can finally unpack the controversial undercover operation that police used to pursue Steve Fabriczy — a 'Mr Big' sting. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and ABC Unravel reporter Alicia Bridges explain how the method works, its weaknesses, and why it has faced restrictions in other countries. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, and Stocky to answer in future episodes, pl...

After five days of deliberations, the jury has decided whether Steve Fabriczy and Joseph Vekony are guilty of murdering Irma Palasics. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver take us inside the courtroom as the jury return their verdict and talk through the key evidence which led to their decision. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to answer in future episodes, pl...

With the jury dismissed, we dive into the questions we couldn't answer during the trial. Did the media treat the victim fairly? Why didn't we use the term 'domestic violence'? What do we know about Geoffrey McLean's other body parts? Eva and Stocky answer all your most pressing questions, and Eva reveals a surprising exchange she had with one of the four accused in court. The Case Of is the follow...

The trial of Steve Fabriczy and Joseph Vekony reached its penultimate moment with closing arguments from each side put before a packed courtroom. It's now up to the jury to decide if these men murdered Irma Palasics. In this episode Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver describe the final bids, with the prosecution highlighting DNA evidence they say places the accused at the scene and the defence questi...

Following a week of closed court deliberations, the murder trial of Geoffrey McLean has been abandoned — a mistrial has been declared. In this episode, Eva Blandis explains to Stephen Stockwell what happened, who was at fault and what comes next. If you have any questions you'd like Eva or Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case Of is the follow-up to the...

There's a lot of confusion about suppression orders. When are they used? Why are they necessary? Are they an affront to open justice? Retired Supreme Court judge Betty King knows them well, indeed she once referred to herself as the 'queen of banning things'. In a special episode of The Case Of, Betty King explains when and why they're needed and also how they can be abused. The Case Of is the fol...

Defence counsel has challenged investigators about the possibility of a third intruder, during the final stages of Irma Palasics's murder trial. In this episode, Liz, James and Stocky discuss the last cross examinations and evidence put to the jury, before the prosecution rested its case. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseo...

Following an extensive search for Geoffrey McLean in 2022, SA police elevated the missing persons case to a major crime. However, for the last week the court has been closed to the public, including journalists and the jury, whilst legal argument takes place. Adelaide reporter Eva Blandis, joins Stocky from outside the court waiting for the trial to continue. If you have any questions you'd like E...

Kyle Sandilands may have been taken off air, but he's still making news — this time, in court.

A detective has given evidence that accused murderer Steve Fabriszy revealed a very specific detail about what he did inside the house the night Irma Palasics was killed.  In this episode we hear descriptions of crime scene photographs, including an image of the secret cash compartment in the Palasics’s home. The jury also heard how the Y2K craze interfered with gathering evidence.  Images from th...

Joseph Vekony insists he had never been to Canberra — where Irma was murdered in 1999 — and has presented a three-pronged alibi which has been tested in court. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver explain who Joseph Vekony is; his life in Hungary and Melbourne and the surprising depth of his friendship with his co-accused, Steve Fabriczy. If you have any questions you'd like Liz and St...

Police drew Steve Fabriczy into a fake criminal network, in an attempt to find out what happened the night Irma Palasics was killed. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver explain the details of this undercover operation — including a meeting Mr Fabriczy had with a fake crime boss at Melbourne's Crown Casino. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to answer in future...

Months before Geoffrey McLean's body was found in a wheelie bin in Adelaide's north, the 55-year-old's car was set on fire, and hydrochloric acid was thrown on him. The man behind these attacks is Anthony Lloyd — one of accused killer Sheree Glastonbury's exes — and now he has given evidence about those attacks and why he made them. Reporters Eva Blandis and Jordanna Schriever break down Anthony L...

DNA samples lifted from a balaclava, a water jug and a milk bottle are key to identifying who killed Irma Palasics, according to the prosecution. And the jury is now being shown what was found. However, a lot has changed in forensic pathology over the past 25 years, making it a tough job for the biologist giving evidence in the trial. If you have any questions you'd like Liz, James and Stocky to a...

As the pathologist tasked with explaining Irma Palasic's cause of death gave his evidence, he criticised the quality of the reports he relied on, revealing a surprising oversight. In this episode, Elizabeth Byrne explains to Stephen Stockwell how defence barristers used these revelations. The jury also heard about how milk was packaged for Canberra in 1999 — a nod to DNA evidence found on a milk b...

Police spent more than a week combing through the Palasics home following the fatal home invasion in 1999, but under cross examination the defence elicited a potentially crucial concession from the man who led that search. In this episode, reporters Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver describe the meticulous path which was cleared to Irma's body to preserve the crime scene and the importance of the Me...

On Thursday the 18th of August 2022, Geoffrey McLean played golf and spent time at the pub with friends, but after 5pm no-one could raise him. The prosecution alleges this was because he'd been murdered. In this episode, Adelaide court reporter Eva Blandis explains what the last contact with Geoffrey McLean was and what the forensic pathologist found when he examined his remains. If you have any q...

Irma and Gregor Palasics kept large amounts of cash hidden inside their house in "every nook and cranny". The prosecution alleges one of the men accused of Irma's 1999 murder was also involved in an earlier attack at a different home, pointing to DNA samples recovered at both crimes. In this episode, ABC reporters Elizabeth Byrne and James Vyver recap the key moments in court, including the jury w...

In 1999, Irma Palasics died during a violent home invasion in Canberra. She and her husband were tied up, beaten and gagged while two masked intruders stole cash and jewellery. Twenty-six years later, Joseph Vekony and Steve Fabriczy are on trial for Irma's murder, as well as charges of assault, forcible confinement and burglary. Veteran court reporter Elizabeth Byrne joins Stocky to lay out the o...

Geoffrey McLean's 'best mate' and golfing buddy has told the jury about tensions he saw in Mr McLean's relationship with his accused killer, Sheree Glastonbury. In this episode, Adelaide court reporter Eva Blandis also recaps evidence from witnesses who saw the bin being moved, and details from the Forensic Response Unit at SA Police who had the gruesome task of inspecting the bin. If you have any...

The household wheelie bin containing the remains of Geoffrey McLean was discovered in a vacant block in Adelaide's northern suburbs, by a man there to cut the grass. Adelaide court reporter, Eva Blandis, tells Stocky who the first witnesses were in the murder trial, including the contractor who found shovels, a bag of lime and the foul-smelling wheelie bin with screws and tape sealing it shut. If...

Four people are on trial for murder and assisting in the murder of Adelaide man Geoffrey McLean, whose remains were found in a wheelie bin on a vacant block. Court reporter, Eva Blandis is following the trial and explains to Stephen Stockwell what each defendant is accused of and how prosecutors say this man came to such a grisly end. If you have any questions you'd like Eva and Stocky to answer,...

Adelaide man, Shaun Dunk told police he went into a real estate agent with the intention to kill someone. ABC reporter, Eva Blandis explains to Stephen Stockwell that before a trial can begin, the court must determine whether Mr Dunk was mentally competent at the time. If you have any questions you'd like Eva and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au . The Case Of...