Date of Incident: 3-12-1977

Date of Conviction: 1978

Exoneration Date: 1984

Charge: Murder

Conviction: Murder

Sentence: Life imprisonment

Sentence Served: 6.5 years

Contributing Causes: Poor forensic science

Compensation: Yes

Edward SPLATT

Edward Splatt was convicted of the murder of 77 year old Rosa Simper in 1978. The prosecution presented evidence of paint particles in the trial, stating that it came from Mr Splatt. All other evidence presented was circumstantial. 

Journalist Stewart Cockburn received two exercise books in 1979, from Mr Splatt, that proclaimed his sentence for the murder of Rosa Simper was a miscarriage of justice. After much investigation and fighting through legal barriers and governmental red tape, Mr Cockburn helped ensure a royal commission into the case was held.

The Royal Commission later found that the paint particles came from spray painters working down the road. The testimony in the trial evidencing the paint particles was incorrect, and testing proved this. In the report, they recommended that the South Australian Government release him from imprisonment immediately. After serving six years for the murder of Rosa Simper, Edward Splatt was released from prison.