NSW coroner orders new inquest for suspected gay hate murder of Scott Johnson
Image: Scott Johnson
THE State Coroner of NSW has ordered a third inquest on the 1980s death of Scott Johnson, whose family believe he was murdered in a gay-hate crime.
Johnson’s naked body was found at the bottom of a cliff at North Head, near Manly on Sydney’s northern beaches in December 1988. At the time, his death was deemed to be a suicide but his family believe he was thrown from the cliff and have since lobbied for the case to be re-investigated.
At the NSW Coroner’s Court this morning, Coroner Michael Barnes said he would hold an extraordinary third inquest into the death of Johnson, who was a US citizen studying in Australia for his PhD.
The first inquest in 1989 found Johnson committed suicide and there was no foul play involved, but this was overturned by a second inquest in 2012, which saw the case given back to NSW Police for re-investigation and with a $100,000 reward for information offered.
Although the Coroner’s Court heard today that NSW Police supported reopening the inquest, detectives do not believe it is possible to determine the exact cause of Johnson’s death.
The lawyer representing the police, Sarah Pritchard SC, said:“There have been suspicions, rumours, doubts and concerns that there have been gay-hate crimes in the Northern Beaches of Sydney and the response of police in relation to these crimes.”
The court heard that the third inquest would be an opportunity for these rumours and concerns to be addressed.
The family’s lawyer, John Agius SC, told the court today that a private investigation had identified 50 people of interest and five gangs who bashed gay men in the geographical area where Johnson‘s body was found.
After the hearing, Johnson’s brother said the family was thankful a new inquest would be held.
“I came into this same building 26 years ago, in 1989, when the police had rushed to judgement, as they’ve done in so many other deaths of gay men in Sydney in that time,” Steve Johnson told the media outside the Coroner’s Court.
“[The police] decided Scott had committed suicide with no evidence, without talking to the family and with no investigation whatsoever.
“The coroner at that time simply accepted the police judgement out of hand.
“The second inquest in 2012 considered the family’s investigative work. No police investigation had been done at that time.
“So we really see this as the first inquest.”
Johnson’s had family launched a campaign — which was backed by ACON — to bring his killers to justice and last week they urged people to attend today’s hearing to show the Coroner there was “significant public interest” in the case.
H/T ABC News
There is a huge massive corrupt and cover up by the NSW Government, Police and the perpetrators of these murders of gay men over the past 40 years! The truth is long overdue and both the Police and the NSW Government must release all information to the NSW Coroner right now!
I’ve been living here in Sydney for just on 9 years. Sydney still surprises me
with it’s lack of acceptance of others* . I remember the first time I went to the art by the sea when I managed to climb all those steps and finally got to the park area up the top. I can’t tell you how bad the vibes are in that area especially in the little grove of trees. I’ve been there every time for the last 6 years and still get the chills! After investigating and asking a lot of questions, yes there had been bashings and murders committed there.
I’ve been bashed twice in my youth / younger days in Melbourne so I know what it’s all about! Police attitudes are changing (not saying they have changed) I remember been stopped and frisked by police on Port Melbourne roads at 2am heading home from work. Asked what I do , I told them I’m a chef, the constable’s response was I hope you wash your hands! I saw the news report last night on the ABC, the female Detective seemed more concerned on the possible blemish on her career rather than the truth behind this young mans death! Which reminds me of a comment Peter Greste we elected the Governments they work for us! and as such so do the Police departments and not to be a law unto themselves! If the coroner decided after the third inquest that it was in fact murder maybe this time putting ego aside the Police will do their job and conduct a proper investigation! It would be laughable to believe all these men committed suicide. The letter of the law has changed considerably since 1988 and being Gay, bi or straight has the same power in the High Court of Australia. Anyone remember that incident in that Flinders Lane night club al those years back! To quote Peter again, if you fail to remember your past it’ll come back to bite us!
It is much easy to say a man suicided then to open the can of worms about police committing hate crimes at beats. I can see why some police have been hysterical about not opening the inquest.
I feel for the family, and after watching this on Lateline, I wish them all the luck in the world. I think we need a Royal Commission into hate crimes against GLBTI Australians. We have been killed, locked up, denied jobs, even denied equality in the law. We have been charged with false offences, we have been hunted and driven out of towns. We have been denied services. I still remember the Austin hospital leaving food on the floor for people with AIDS.
How many other gay men were killed or beaten throughout the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s because they didn’t live the ‘right’ way? I wish Scott’s family all the best in their fight for justice.
The death of Scott – and other men – have been buried with a lie, while the offenders were aided and abetted by the very institution entrusted to uncover the truth.