NT Police, following advice from the Director of Public Prosecutions, have concluded their investigation following the publication of documents purported to be Jury Notes from the Chamberlain trial.

The investigation has reached a point where it is no longer considered to be in the public's interest to continue due to the risks the Jurors will have their anonymity compromised.

The investigation commenced on 10 August 2010 to establish how the documents were included in Police investigation file archives, whether the notes were actually Jury notes, and whether the supply and publishing of the notes therefore constituted an offence against the NT Juries Act.

The findings of the investigation remain inconclusive as to why or how the notes were included in Police investigation file archives.

While the investigation has determined that the notes are more likely than not, jury notes, the fact would need to be proved beyond reasonable doubt in any criminal prosecution. In order to attempt to prove beyond reasonable doubt, a juror would need to be located who could identify the documents as his or her notes and give evidence to that effect in court proceedings. To do so would compromise the anonymity of the jurors.

Publication of material that is protected under the NT Juries Act in interstate newspapers and on the internet can still amount to an offence when the newspapers are sold in the NT, or when the online material is downloaded in the NT.

Media outlets are encouraged to seek legal advice about possible contraventions of the NT Juries Act before publishing any information in relation to Juries.
Media Contact
Katie Fowden
8901 0281