Networked Knowledge - Media Report

This version of the report has been prepared by: Dr Robert N Moles

DNA Homepage
Go to: A state of Injustice - table of contents
Go to: Losing Their Grip - The Case of Henry Keogh - table of contents

On 3 October 2008 Shelley Hadfield of The Australian reported 'DNA links cop-killer to another murder'

She said detectives have applied to interview cop killer Bandali Michael Debs over the murder of prostitute Donna Anne Hicks 13 years ago. But the ageing triple-murderer has told Melbourne Magistrates Court he will not co-operate and plans to make a no-comment interview if the application is successful, the Herald Sun reported. Debs, 55, is already serving life sentences for the murders of Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rod Miller at Moorabbin in 1998 and the murder of sex worker Kristy Harty, 18, in 1997 at Upper Beaconsfield. Ms Hicks' body was found in April, 1995, at Minchinbury in Sydney's west.

Senior Detective Matthew Packham, of the New South Wales homicide squad, told Melbourne Magistrates' Court today that the National Criminal Investigation Database had linked Debs' DNA profile with DNA collected at the scene of Ms Hicks' murder. Ms Hicks, 34, was last seen getting into a dark four-wheel drive on the Great Western Highway, where she was working as a prostitute. Sen-Det Packham said she was found dead the next day. She died of a gunshot wound to the head.

He said that at the time Debs owned a dual cab Holden Rodeo ute with a canopy which had a striking similarity to the one that Ms Hicks got into. The vehicle was traded in 1997 and the dealer noted that it had a hole in the driver's side seat and driver's side floor, Sen-Det Packham said. He said mobile phone and banking records indicated that Debs was in New South Wales at the time. "Victoria Police have also provided us with details of a conversation between Bandali Debs and Jason Roberts (Debs' co-accused in the police murders) that took place in 1999 that has the suggestion of Mr Debs shooting a woman in the head,'' Sen-Det Packham said.

Victoria Police Detective Acting Sergeant Jason Wallace applied to Melbourne Magistrates Court to interview Debs for six hours at Barwon Prison. He said the Holden Rodeo ute and Debs' former home had been searched. Debs' lawyer Helen Spowart said the court had no power to grant the application because the offence was alleged to have happened outside Victoria. Det Acting Sgt Wallace's role was to investigate offences in Victoria, not those in New South Wales, she said.

Magistrate Simon Garnett will make a ruling on October 13. But Debs told the court that "if the police come out to the prison I'm going to make no statement whatsover''. "I don't know if that will assist ya,'' Debs said. But Mr Garnett said he would base his ruling on law.

Top of Page