MEDIA RELEASE

21 September 2011

Law, Truth, Forensics And Hollywood Stories Shared

Legal and scientific experts who have caught some of the world’s most evil people as well as those who have suffered tragic injustices, including New Zealander David Bain, will come together for the first time at the International Justice Conference in Perth next March.

David Bain will be breaking his silence to share his story at the conference. After being found not guilty two years ago of the 1994 murders of his family, for which he served 13 years, Mr Bain is settling into his life of freedom and new-found peace out of the eyes of the public and the media. But he feels strongly that he must speak out in the hope of helping others who have been wrongfully convicted.

“I am looking forward to meeting people from around the world who have undergone similar experiences to me. I also want to share my story – it is the right time and the right place,” says Mr Bain.

Mr Bain’s long time supporter and friend, Joe Karam, who fought tirelessly to prove that the original convictions were the result of a grave miscarriage of justice will also be speaking.

Alongside Mr Bain will be some of the most internationally recognised miscarriage of justice victims and, in some cases, their loved ones will share their stories and provide valuable insights into the processes undertaken to prove their innocence. High profile cases include Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, Dr Rubin ‘Hurricane’ Carter and Betty Anne Waters all of whom have had their stories portrayed in Hollywood movies – “Evil Angels” starring Meryl Streep and Sam Neil; “Hurricane” starring Denzel Washington and Liev Schreiber and Betty Anne Waters’ story “Conviction” starring Hilary Swank and Sam Rockwell.

The conference, organised by JUSTICEwa, will also include some of the world’s leading forensic experts and real life CSIs, including Dr Richard Shepherd, Dr Thomas Muller, Gerard Dutton and Professor Paul Wilson, who will discuss the procedures they used to examine and solve a range of high-profile cases such as the September 11 attacks, Bali bombings, inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, and the horrific crimes of Austrian abductor, Joseph Fritzl and German cannibal, Armin Meiwes and Australian backpacker murderer, Ivan Milat.

JUSTICEwa spokesperson, Estelle Blackburn, a journalist whose work has helped free two wrongfully convicted men, says “it will be the first time some victims have spoken publicly about aspects of their experiences. It is also the first time some of the world’s best forensic experts and justice advocates have been brought together to provide valuable insights into the processes and technology used to solve cases as well as help victims prove their innocence.”

“The conference covers many areas of law and justice and offers a unique blend of knowledge, expertise and experience from both those who have experienced injustice and those who have enabled justice to prevail,” says Ms Blackburn.

“The conference’s world-class speakers are expected to attract delegates from a range of backgrounds, from lawyers, forensic professionals, writers and academics to members of the general public with an interest in justice.”

The International Justice Conference will be held in Perth from 8 to 11 March 2012. For more information or to register for the event, visit www.internationaljusticeconference.com. Early bird registrations close 30th November 2011.

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