MAN TO BE FREED DESPITE INSISTING ON HIS INNOCENCE

Convicted killer Graham Stafford -- jailed 15 years ago for the sex murder of schoolgirl Leanne Holland -- is set for a dramatic early release. The 42-year-old, sentenced to life in 1992, could be granted parole within months. Stafford, who has always strenuously denied killing the sister of his then-fiancee, was not expected to be released for several years. He had been in a Catch-22 situation -- because he continued to proclaim his innocence, prison psychiatrists said it meant he had shown no remorse and should be denied parole.

But sources told The Sunday Mail Stafford had been a model prisoner and there was widespread support from prison authorities for his bid to clear his name. Stafford was recently placed on work-release in Brisbane, allowing him to assimilate back into the community. He lives in a State Government halfway house, a key step before earning parole. A favourable report from his house manager could lead to his release. As part of his work-release, Stafford is banned from contact with the media. His family also declined to comment, fearing they would jeopardise any upcoming parole hearing.

Criminologist Paul Wilson, who has investigated the Holland murder, said it was almost unheard-of for a prisoner convicted of such a horrific crime to be released after just 15 years behind bars. He said authorities did not consider Stafford to be a danger to the community, and it was obvious some had ``serious doubts'' about the conviction.

The bashing, stabbing and sex attack on the Goodna girl, 12, shocked Queenslanders in 1991. Stafford, who lived in the Holland family home, was alleged by police to have killed Leanne and hid her body in the boot of his car for two days before dumping it in bushland about 10km away.

The Crown produced no motive, murder weapon or witnesses, instead relying on circumstantial evidence. But much of that evidence has since been dismissed by leading forensic experts, plus Prof Wilson and former police detective Graeme Crowley in their book Who Killed Leanne?.

Prof Wilson said offenders were rarely released early if they had not confessed their guilt and/or taken part in a sex-offenders treatment program. ``I am delighted for him . . . it is very surprising that he could be out so soon,'' Prof Wilson said. ``I would have expected he would have been in for many years longer, given the recent toughening of parole legislation.''

But a recent psychiatric evaluation had come to a different conclusion about his threat to the community than earlier assessments. Sources said the latest report accepted Stafford would not confess to a crime he insisted he had not done, and therefore had no need to do the sex-offenders program. It said he did not pose a risk if released.

Mr Crowley said Stafford would not let the case rest with parole, and wanted a full pardon. His imminent release is all the more remarkable given that between 1985 and 2005, the average time spent in custody by Queensland prisoners serving a life term was almost 18 years. Police Minister Judy Spence said yesterday a lifer could apply for parole only after serving a minimum of 15 years in jail. As Stafford was arrested in September, 1991, and served time on remand before being sentenced in May, 1992, that would mean he would be eligible in five months.





A GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE CROOKED POLICE WORK THAT LED TO STAFFORD'S JAILING


The State Government will consider sending the Leanne Holland murder case to the Crime and Misconduct Commission for an independent investigation. Police Minister Judy Spence this week told Parliament she would examine that option after revelations that new evidence had thrown doubt on Graham Stafford's involvement in the murder.

Opposition police spokesman Vaughan Johnson urged Ms Spence to ask the CMC to examine the case because of new evidence relating to concerns from the jury foreman from Stafford's 1992 trial, a leading scientist who gave evidence for the Crown and a forensic entomologist who had disputed crucial case details. He said this new evidence and the handling of the case required an independent assessment by the CMC. Ms Spence replied that she would seek legal advice about a CMC investigation.

The move follows Attorney-General Linda Lavarch's February invitation to Stafford to apply for a pardon. Jury foreman Peter Hobbs said that he believed Stafford would have been found not guilty if evidence now available had been put forward.

Forensic entomologist Russell Luke has also told The Sunday Mail police scrapped his 1997 report which would have demolished their case. He had disputed Leanne's body was in the boot of Stafford's car and the time of death, saying police relied on flawed evidence about maggots on her body.

Both the above articles appeared in the Brisbane "Sunday Mail" of April 23, 2006



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