Update

25th August 2013

I know I haven't spoken for about 6 weeks as I have been busy going through all the evidence, transcripts and findings of Jason's coronial inquest.  I am also still awaiting the physical evidence that we have requested and yet to receive from the Qld State Coroner's Office.  I would also like to state that I had wanted to wait until I had received all of the available evidence so that I could look at possibly proceeding with a private indictment of Thomas Hess for the killing of my son Jason as the Coroner Mr Michael Barnes did not see fit to submit the facts to the DPP for a public prosecution.  In my opinion he was prepared to ignore the findings of his own right hand man (Peter Johns - Senior Counsel acting for the Coroner) which stated that very little weight should be placed on the testimony of Troy Weston (The partner of Thomas Hess who was one of only three people including Hess and an eyewitness by the name of Krystal Sinn who directly witnessed the death of my son).  In my opinion Peter Johns also stated that Krystal Sinn was a credible witness as in his submissions he stated that there was no basis on which you would comfortably find or find at all that Krystal Sinn lied.

I have decided to speak today because during the week a horrific event occurred where two people were allegedly murdered and a man was allegedly shot dead by police.  Firstly I would like to offer to the families involved our sincere condolences and I apologise for having to mention their loss on the same page as our update, however, whilst viewing the news footage our son's mug shot was again displayed on the news.  Queensland Police Union President Ian Leavers shot off his big mouth once again with his unconscionable remarks stating how the police had no other option, things unfolded very quickly.  Once again he was not there and therefore has no right to comment on this case to the media.  Mr Leavers made similar comments when Jason was killed and these issues were raised during Jason’s inquest.  Mr Leavers on the stand said he had learnt from Jason's death and had changed his ways and yet here he is basically doing the same thing once again.  He needs to be held accountable, he may use the same excuse he used at my son’s hearing that silence is deadly but I believe his words are even more deadly. 

I am still waiting to hear back from the complaint I lodged with the CMC last year in relation to the actions of Mr Ian Leavers in Jason's case and today I have sent yet another letter which is posted on this site.  This man needs to stop tainting evidence and be held accountable for what these remarks are doing to not just the families of the victims but also to the officers of the Qld Police Service as a whole. 

As a father my resolve to find the truth has been tested and retested and retested again.  My resolve to find the truth as to why Thomas Hess shot my son dead will not be broken whilst I have breath in my body.

On an update I can inform you now that Inspector Mark Reid from the Ethical Standards Unit who was the Lead investigator into the death of my son Jason, after a lengthy investigation instigated by myself no longer is with the Ethical Standards Unit.  After being investigated by the CMC the complaint has now been handed back to the Qld Police Service for further investigation.  This is one small step into tightening the noose around the Police investigation into my son's death.

In closing, I believe State Coroner Mr Michael Barnes spoke ignorant and bias dribble in his findings which I had dubbed the book of lies.  If that wasn't enough 5 days after his findings he gagged us from publishing the real evidence of the case.  I am currently questioning the gag order which I believe is not legal as the Coroners act states that any gag order must be placed immediately, not 5 days after the case has been closed by the Coroner.  I believe this act was a direct act to stop the public from hearing the truth and making their own logical conclusions.  Their are only 3 people who were present and know what happened on this fateful day.  In order to find peace within ourselves I challenge those three people (Police Officers Thomas Hess & Troy Weston and Eye witness Krystal Sinn) to an independent polygraph (Lie detector test) so that this family can have some form of closure.  I ask that the media keep a constant vigil on this site as if this gag order is not lifted then I will test this gag order by openly placing every piece of evidence on this site.  I also ask that if you read this blog site share it with your friends and make comments if you wish to.

Steve Protheroe - Jason's Father      



       

25^th August 2013

Att: Peter Johns

 

Dear Peter

I am writing yet again regarding the outstanding issues that remain from Jason’s inquest.  I have sent many emails to you, I have made many phone calls to you and I am yet to receive any satisfactory response.  The outstanding issues are:

1)      The evidence that we have requested so that we can proceed with this case.  On July 19^th 2013 I received a response from you which stated I've asked that process of disposal or destruction of items be ceased until I can discuss this with the new State Coroner. He is still settling in but I will try to take him through the details early next week.  I have received no information since this email from you.

2)      The gag order that Coroner Michael Barnes placed on this inquest on 19^th June 2013 after his findings were handed down on 14^th June 2013 5 days earlier.  The Coroners act states that gag orders must be done immediately.  We spoke with you about this being lifted as I challenge that it is even legal to do this after 5 days.  I am yet to hear back from you with regard to this.

I am also extremely disappointed at your very obvious abandonment of this case and this family’s concerns as to what took place.  I know you may be concerned for your own position but I would have thought that a man in your position should show integrity for the truth rather than fear. 

Yours Sincerely

 

Stephen Protheroe

25^th August 2013

Ref No: MI-13-1462/GOA

Att: Dianne McFarlane – Director

Dear Dianne

I refer to your letter dated 19^th August 2013 in relation to my concerns about Inspector Mark Reid.  In this letter you refer to a letter that you sent to me dated 20^th June 2013.  I have never received a letter from you on that date, In fact the last letter received from the CMC was dated 23^rd October 2012.  Could you please urgently arrange for a copy of the letter dated 20^th June 2013 and any others I have not received to be sent to me ASAP. 

I have also attached a copy of another letter that I sent to you on 30^th September 2012 which I have never received a response to and I would appreciate being advised of the status of the investigation into the conduct of Mr Ian Leavers.

I take these matters very seriously and I do not intend to stop my plight until a result is achieved.  Just recently another police shooting occurred in Coolum and Mr Leavers once again appeared on national news saying very similar things as he had said in Jason’s case.  The same things that during Jason’s inquest he said he had learnt from and had changed his ways and yet here he is basically doing the same thing once again.  Mr Leavers once again was not at the scene when this incident happened and therefore has no right to make statements to the media to protect or pervert the actions of these officers involved.  As I have said in the past I believe this man to be unconscionable.  He needs to be held accountable, he may use the same excuse he used at my son’s hearing that silence is deadly but I believe his words are even more deadly. 

Yours Sincerely

 

Stephen Protheroe