In a recent development that sent shockwaves through the legal community, crooked cop Glen McNamara’s desperate appeal to have his conviction overturned was dismissed by the High Court
This marks a significant chapter in the notorious case where McNamara, along with fellow cop Roger Rogerson, was found guilty of the cold-blooded murder of Jamie Gao, a young drug dealer, in a southern Sydney storage shed.
The Conviction And Life Sentence
The conviction, dating back to 2016, sentenced McNamara and Rogerson to life in prison for the murder of Gao, whose body was discovered wrapped in a blue tarpaulin, six days after the gruesome act.
The pair was also convicted of stealing a staggering $19 million worth of amphetamine from Gao during a clandestine meeting in May 2014.
Additionally, both men faced 12 years for supplying an indictable quantity of drugs.
Failed Attempts To Overturn Convictions
In 2021, McNamara and Rogerson’s hopes were dashed when their appeals were rejected by the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal.
Earlier this year, Rogerson’s bid to have his appeal heard by the High Court was also unsuccessful.
However, McNamara was granted leave to appeal his conviction in March, leading to the recent dismissal.
Allegations And Claims In The High Court
During the High Court appeal, McNamara made compelling claims that he was denied the opportunity to present crucial evidence at trial.
This evidence included Rogerson’s alleged confessions to other murders, a chilling revelation that could have altered the course of the trial.
Glen McNamara And The High End Case
- Rogerson’s legal team contended that his inability to adequately cross-examine his co-accused, fellow former detective Glen McNamara, undermined his case. Both were sentenced to life in 2016 for the cold-blooded slaying of 20-year-old Gao two years earlier.
- At 82, Rogerson maintained his innocence, claiming ignorance of McNamara’s plans.
- His lawyer, Madeleine Avenell SC, argued that the cross-examination went beyond discrediting McNamara as a witness.
- It was, according to Avenell, a denial of the chance to prove McNamara’s vendetta against Rogerson and his determination to implicate him in the murder.
Glen McNamara: His Sentencing And The Entire Case
In a shocking turn of events, former New South Wales detectives Roger Rogerson, 75, and Glen McNamara, 57, find themselves facing the prospect of spending the rest of their lives in jail.
The reason? The cold-blooded execution of young drug dealer Jamie Gao in 2014, coupled with the theft of a substantial 2.7kg of the illicit drug ice.
The Criminal Plot Unveiled
- During the trial, Crown Prosecutor Chris Maxwell QC painted a grim picture of how the ex-detectives utilized their police experience, training, and cunning to commit what he termed as ‘two crimes right at the top of the criminal calendar.’
- The jury’s verdict in June 2016 confirmed the guilt of Rogerson and McNamara for the murder of 20-year-old university student and drug dealer Jamie Gao.
- The rejection of Rogerson’s leave for appeal solidifies his fate – a lifetime behind bars. This outcome not only concludes the legal battle but also extinguishes any hope the former rogue detective may have clung to for eventual release.
- The decision significantly contributes to one of the darkest chapters in the history of Australia’s policing.
Contract Killing And A Sinister Twist
Maxwell emphasized the severity of the crime by asserting that contract killings, typically attracting life sentences, paled in comparison to the duo’s actions.
What set this murder apart was its underlying motive – the acquisition of a substantial commercial quantity of the drug ice.
The prosecutor underlined the grave consequences of such actions, as the drug ice has proven to be a significant contributor to criminal activities.
Motive Beyond Money
“It is not just for money; it is so they can obtain and then distribute the drug which has proven to be a scourge in our society,” Maxwell argued.
The prosecution portrayed the murder as a means to an end, with the endgame being the facilitation of a drug trade that perpetuates widespread criminal activities.
A Violation of Trust And The Rule Of Law
The court heard that Rogerson and McNamara, former friends turned convicts, utilized the police training and experience entrusted to them by society to execute a plan that directly contradicted the very essence of law enforcement.
Maxwell deemed their actions a “direct affront to the rule of law in a civilized society,” emphasizing the severity of the breach of trust.
News Update On The Glen McNamara Sentence
#BREAKING: Roger Rogerson and Glen McNamara given life sentences over Jamie Gao murder. https://t.co/FsZZDkRv37 pic.twitter.com/h5sG1YZ1zd
— The Australian (@australian) September 2, 2016
Strength Of The Prosecution’s Case
Sally Dowling SC, representing the crown, urged the judges to assess the prosecution case’s strength.
The high court ultimately determined it was robust enough to dismiss the appeal.
The NSW court of criminal appeal had earlier found Rogerson’s case for overturning his conviction lacked credibility and did not raise any doubt about his guilt.
The Rise And Fall Of Roger Rogerson
Roger Rogerson, once both hero and villain during his 28-year NSW Police career, experienced a spectacular unraveling.
Initially celebrated as the force’s most decorated officer, he received the prestigious Peter Mitchell award in 1980.
However, within six years, his career took a nosedive.
Fatal Shooting Of Young Drug Dealer
In 1981, he was controversially linked to the fatal shooting of young drug dealer Warren Lanfranchi but was deemed to have acted in the line of duty.
Lanfranchi’s girlfriend, Sallie-Anne Huckstepp, later accused Rogerson of deliberately killing him over a drug-related dispute involving corrupt police. Huckstepp’s subsequent drowning remains unsolved.
A Legacy Of Controversy
Amidst Rogerson’s demise, he was also implicated in the attempted execution of NSW undercover operative Michael Drury.
The decorated drug squad detective refused a bribe in exchange for evidence tampering in a heroin trafficking trial.
Drury survived being shot through his kitchen window, leading to Rogerson’s charge and eventual acquittal in 1989.
Defense Claims And Prosecutor’s Rebuttal
- As the defense, still maintaining their clients’ innocence, argued against a life sentence, Maxwell countered these claims. He highlighted Rogerson’s hypocritical stance, citing the former detective’s lack of respect for Gao, ostensibly due to his drug dealing, while simultaneously engaging in similar criminal activities.
- The sentencing of Rogerson and McNamara is set for September 2, with the prosecution pushing for a life term. As the judicial system deliberates their fate, the chilling details of this heinous crime serve as a stark reminder of the thin line between upholding the law and becoming its violator
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Glen McNamara: Failed Appeals, Appeal To High Courts, Testimonials, Trial And Verdict
McNamara and fellow cop Roger Rogerson were convicted in 2016 for the murder of 20-year-old Jamie Gao.
The young drug dealer met his tragic end in a southern Sydney storage shed, where he was shot and his body disposed of at sea.
The duo was also found guilty of stealing a substantial $19 million worth of amphetamine from Gao during this ominous meeting.
McNamara’s Appeal To The High Court
- In 2021, both McNamara and Rogerson attempted to have their convictions overturned in the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal but were unsuccessful. While Rogerson’s bid to the High Court was denied, McNamara was granted leave to appeal.
- During the High Court appeal, McNamara argued that he was not allowed to present crucial evidence at the trial.
- He contended that Rogerson had allegedly confessed to multiple other murders, including the shooting of former cop Michael Drury in 1984.
- McNamara’s appeal centered on the exclusion of critical evidence by Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Bellew during the trial. McNamara sought to present Rogerson’s alleged threats and confessions, claiming duress and coercion in his involvement.
The Disputed Testimonies
- McNamara sought to share with the court Rogerson’s alleged threats and claims, including a chilling reference to the Drury shooting and the assertion that he had been involved in five other murders.
- However, Rogerson’s lawyers successfully objected, citing potential prejudice.
- The prosecution’s narrative, accepted by the jury, painted a disturbing picture. McNamara and Rogerson were accused of luring Gao to the storage unit under the pretense of a drug deal, intending to carry out a deadly “rip off.” The plan involved Rogerson posing as a buyer while they stole a substantial quantity of methamphetamine from Gao and disposed of his body.
A Detailed Trial
Following a detailed trial, the jury sided with the prosecution’s version of events.
They believed that McNamara and Rogerson orchestrated a plan to lure Gao to the storage unit for a drug heist, resulting in his tragic demise.
The Unanimous Verdict
The High Court, after careful consideration, unanimously dismissed McNamara’s appeal.
The court supported the earlier decision of Supreme Court Justice Geoffrey Bellew to exclude certain parts of McNamara’s testimony.
Despite McNamara’s arguments, the High Court unanimously upheld Justice Bellew’s decision to exclude portions of his testimony. This ultimately led to the dismissal of his appeal, solidifying his life sentence for the chilling murder of Jamie Gao