This episode focuses on the police themselves and the kind of environment they were working in in 1929 – a world of social distinctions and only six years after a major police strike that rocked public confidence in the constabulary.

Retired detective Charlie Bezzina provides some more insights into the nature of murder investigations and his opinion on the thoroughness of the McLeod investigation.

We also examine accusations at the time that Norman McLeod had ‘friends in high places’ and how this may have had an impact on the case.

 

Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.

www.muderarchives.com.au

Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy

Produced in partnership with Nearly

 

Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):

Daniel Alfieri

Courtney Carthy

Simon Curtin

Alan Hands

Cassidy Krygger

Ben Mitchell

Elaine Mitchell

Gill Neale

 

And our experts:

Charlie Bezzina

Dr Byron Collins

Dr Karen Scally

Andrea Scarf

This episode focuses on the police themselves and the kind of environment they were working in in 1929 &ndash; a world of social distinctions and only six years after a major police strike that rocked public confidence in the constabulary.
Retired detective Charlie Bezzina provides some more insights into the nature of murder investigations and his opinion on the thoroughness of the McLeod investigation.
We also examine accusations at the time that Norman McLeod had &lsquo;friends in high places&rsquo; and how this may have had an impact on the case.
&nbsp;
Murder Archives is written and presented by Emma Curtin.
<a href="http://www.murderarchives.com.au">www.muderarchives.com.au</a>
Editing and sound by Courtney Carthy
Produced in partnership with <a href="http://www.nearly.com.au" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Nearly</a>
&nbsp;
Thanks to all those who added their voices to this podcast (in alphabetical order):
Daniel Alfieri
Courtney Carthy
Simon Curtin
Alan Hands
Cassidy Krygger
Ben Mitchell
Elaine Mitchell
Gill Neale
&nbsp;
And our experts:
Charlie Bezzina
Dr Byron Collins
Dr Karen Scally
Andrea Scarf

We’ve started this podcast to create a dialogue with you, that may help solve a 1929 murder in Toorak. 

If you want to know more, or help in the amateur sleuthing, we’ve uploaded documents and images to our website www.murderarchives.com.au to complement the podcast.

About the case.

On 9 September 1929, Norma McLeod, an unmarried 29-year-old teacher was found unconscious in her parent’s home in the prestigious suburb of Toorak. 

A pair of men’s underpants lay across her forehead. By 5pm that day she was dead. 

An autopsy revealed a seven-inch crack in the back of her skull caused by violent trauma from a blunt object. 

The case attracted huge press and public attention; accusations were plentiful, but an inquest returned an open verdict.

Almost 90 years after this mysterious death, an extensive three-year investigation involving a re-examination of the police files, combined with an in-depth look at Norma’s family, raises questions about the rigour of the original investigation. 

With the aid of the victim’s descendants and a group of renowned experts we’ve discovered long-held secrets, connections in high places and people who weren’t who they seemed to be.

Experts who provide input: forensic pathologist, Byron Collins; ex-homicide detective, Charlie Bezzina; criminal barrister, Alan Hands; psycho-physiologist, Elizabeth Martin; forensic psychologist, Dr Karen Scally and graphologist, Andrea Scarfe

Some of Norma’s descendants, who are also actors, ‘voice’ various parts throughout the podcast.

Re-examining mysterious deaths, reimagining private lives and giving voice to long forgotten victims of crime.

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