Host ‘Judge’ Betty King explores tall tales and true of homicide investigations with former Homicide Squad detective Narrelle Fraser, forensic pathologist Joanna Glengarry, and defence barrister Zoe Broughton. Who does what and with (and to) whom in the course of a murder investigation, from the collection of evidence, the interrogation of suspects, the laying of charges, and the trial? And what interesting things happen along the way?
Justice Betty King QC began her career as a criminal barrister, working in both defence and as the first female prosecutor in Victoria. She was the first prosecutor ever for the Commonwealth of Australia. Betty also served as a member of the National Crime Authority. She worked as a judge of the Victorian County Court from 2000–05 and, following her appointment to the Supreme Court in 2005, presided over a number of high-profile murder and police corruption trials, including the notorious Carl Williams case. In 2008 she controversially banned Channel Nine from broadcasting the first series of Underbelly. Betty retired from the Supreme Court in 2015 and then served as Chairperson of the Voluntary Assisted Dying Review Board.
Betty is renowned as a dedicated follower of fashion. John Silvester, The Age crime columnist, observed that it was a fair bet she was one of the few judges to prefer leopard print boots from Harlem to brown brogues from David Jones. As a barrister she was once kicked out of court by a fuddy-duddy judge who saw red over her outfit, which included green stockings and matching green shoes. Betty also served as a judge for the Ned Kelly awards for a number of years.
Narelle Fraser was a member of Victoria Police for 27 years, 15 of those as a Detective with squads including Homicide, Rape, Sex Crimes, Missing Persons and Child Exploitation, specialising in sex offences and child abuse. She was involved in many high-profile criminal investigations. In 2012 Narelle was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and was never able to return to Policing, however she overcame many adversities to become a mental health advocate, keynote speaker and host of her own true-crime podcast, Narelle Fraser Interviews.
Narelle has lectured in Investigative and Interviewer Techniques, Human Rights and Criminology at Monash University and NMIT and is a policing and mental health commentator on all media platforms (including of late, cruise ships!). A documentary is being released this year entitled The Policewoman covering her extensive career.
Dr Joanna Glengarry is a senior forensic pathologist at the Victorian Institute of Forensic Medicine, having completed specialist training across both New Zealand and Australia. She is also an adjunct Associate Professor of forensic medicine at Monash University, being a lecturer, and researcher. Her areas of interest include injury interpretation and post-mortem radiology. She is a keen runner, reader, and gardener, and knows exactly how to get away with the perfect murder….
Zoe Broughton is an experienced criminal barrister. She has been at the Victorian Bar since 2009 and previously held the role of Senior Public Defender at VLA Chambers. She served as a senior public defender at Victoria Legal Aid for some years, before returning to the private bar. Zoe has experience appearing in Supreme and County Court trials, pleas, appeals and bail applications, contested committals and matters involving the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997 and Serious Sex Offenders (Detention and Supervision) Act 2009. In 2023, Zoe grilled Sheridan Harbridge, the actor from the award-winning play Prima Facie, for the Criminal Bar Association dinner.
Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome.
Tickets: $20 non-members; $15 concession; $12 Sisters in Crime and Writers Victoria members; $10 under 19. Tickets not sold prior to the event will be available at the door for $22/$18/$15.
Men or ‘brothers-in-law’ welcome.
Please book by 12 pm Thursday 22 May: https://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/murder-she-investigates-sisters-in-crimes-19th-law-week-event-tickets-1280398218539
Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Victoria University, Queen Street Campus, Heritage Courtyard Lecture Theatre, 295 Queen Street, Melbourne
Additional information: Carmel Shute 0412 569 356 admin@sistersincrime.org.au; www.sistersincrime.org.au
Sun Bookshop stall: members receive a 10% discount
Additional information: Carmel Shute 0412 569 356 admin@sistersincrime.org.au; www.sistersincrime.org.au