NT:Azaria inquest would hear of new attacks

AAP General News (Australia)
12-18-2011
NT:Azaria inquest would hear of new attacks

By Xavier La Canna

DARWIN, Dec 18 AAP - A new inquest into the disappearance of Azaria Chamberlain is
likely to consider fresh evidence about dingo attacks not covered by prior investigations,
a barrister says.

Northern Territory barrister John Lawrence SC said the inquest confirmed by the NT
Coroner's office on Sunday would have evidence to consider not known at the time the baby
disappeared in 1980.

"What we have now is several instances, tragically, of dingoes attacking people and
in one instance killing a child," Mr Lawrence said.

Azaria was nine weeks-old when she disappeared from her parents' tent at Uluru (Ayers Rock).

Although an initial inquest in 1980 said a dingo probably caused the death, subsequent
court cases ended in Azaria's mother Lindy Chamberlain being sentenced to life in jail
and Michael Chamberlain found guilty of being an accessory after the fact.

After Azaria's matinee jacket was found in 1986 the case was reopened and a royal commission
in 1987 exonerated both parents.

Mr Lawrence was part of the crown legal team during the royal commission.

"The defence (in the murder trial) called various experts to say that damage to the
same clothing could have been caused by canine teeth," Mr Lawrence said.

"There was no evidence then of dingoes having attacked other people.

"Now there is."

The new inquest, to be held before NT Coroner Elizabeth Morris on February 24, will
be the fourth inquest into Azaria's disappearance and comes after lobbying from Azaria's
parents.

AAP xlc/was

KEYWORD: AZARIA UPDATE

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