Networked Knowledge – Media Report

[This version of the report has been edited by Dr Robert N Moles
Underlining where it occurs is for editorial emphasis]

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List of Australian, UK and USA miscarriage of justice law reports
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Article: USA law on miscarriages of justice

On 8 October 2007 ABC News reported “Fatal bullet may have hit another person first, inquest told”.

A forensic pathologist has told the inquest into the fatal shooting of a man in the Northern Territory community of Wadeye it is possible the bullet which killed him could have passed through another person first. In October 2002 Senior Constable Robert Whittington fatally shot 18-year-old Robert Jongmin during a riot.

The coronial inquest has heard Mr Jongmin was fighting with another man who was armed with a shotgun when the police officer fired the fatal shot. Dr Allan Cala performed the post-mortem on Mr Jongmin and when Mr Whittington's lawyer Ian Rowbottom today asked Dr Calla if it was possible the same projectile passed through two persons, he replied "yes".

He was also asked what was the level of possibility the bullet passed through a second victim after exiting Mr Jongmin's body. Dr Calla replied "I think it's less than 50 per cent, I wouldn't raise it anymore than that." Senior Constable Whittington is expected to give evidence for the first time this afternoon.

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