28 September 2009

Rebecca Anne Massey makes bail

| johnboy
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The ABC brings word that the accused Charnwood stabber, Rebecca Anne Massey has been granted bail in the ACT Supreme Court by Justice Hilary Penfold after 11 months in custody on remand. (For those who came in late Rebecca is accused of the stabbing murder of Elizabeth Anne Booshand at Charnwood shops last July.)

    She said Massey is being affected by what appears to be excessive delays in bringing her case to trial, a process which could take up to two years.

    Massey will have to report daily to police, abide by a curfew and not carry a knife or weapon in a public place.

So… anyone want to run a book on when the first breach of bail will occur?

Time until Rebecca Massey breaches her bail?

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Yes but is she being drug tested while out on bail?

I like everything rickochet has to say. He/she has my vote for RActer of the month.

Anna Key said :

So is she back inside Casa de Massey yet or has she lasted one week?

she lasted a week – not back in side C de M as yet

So is she back inside Casa de Massey yet or has she lasted one week?

Deadmandrinking9:26 pm 03 Jul 09

Exactly Rikochet, who does?

What I’m trying to get across is that many people base their opinions of court decisions on summaries of what are very complex matters. You obviously have some prior experience with this woman, so your opinion in particular may be a little more informed. However, as far as I know, you have not been privy to every aspect of this current matter, so like us, you cannot possibly know what factors led to her successful bail. For all we know, you could be right, though…

And on the drugs thing, I was only pointing out that the way you phrased it seemed to say that everyone is nice when they’re not taking drugs. That’s clearly not the case.

Deadmandrinking said: An event like this could change a person dramatically. Or, of course she might not give a sh-t. I’m just saying that the media tends to generate characters around people. Of course, this lady has a reputation that she’s built up herself…but something as large as facing a long sentence for murder can really get people to take a good long look at themselves.

Ok, yes, maybe you’re right. Im not in Canberra and I dont know exactly what she is thinking or if the enormity of the crime has hit home for her. but sadly with the benefit of hindsight, I would lean more toward her enjoying the infamy of it.

For several different reasons I cannot give away too much about how she has been a part of my life, but I can tell you that for the last 18 years I have watched her evolve from a young girl infatuated by the criminal element and all its fake glory, to the selfish, egotistic, gangster wannabe she is today. She has never shown regret or remorse before , even when it pertained to her children, and those who trusted her.

You see, what you hear on T.V and read in the papers is not how it is. Sure there is fact, but it is laced with the authors opinions on the story and thats what takes it to the next stage, reputation, infamy, etc.
Believe me when I tell you, when you spend most of your life in and out of the courts, you know the system (and how to bend it your way) better than most lawyers.
You learn the loopholes, and how they can work for you.

Rebecca knows this all too well. And she will use everything she has at her disposal including her kids, to get out of this.. See what I mean… No remorse..

But again, I havent seen her since the crime and maybe she will stand tall and shock us all with a sudden show of humanity and genuine emotion.. Who knows?

This women took the life of another weather she meant to or not $1000 bail is a joke.

And as for the drug and mental state defence … she wasn’t that far gone on them as she knew to flee the scene, get rid of the weapon, get someone to wash the clothes she was wearing and take them to the dump. And lastly probably threaten all witnesses.

Deadmandrinking said :

Whatever VG, I’m sure everyone shows the best aspects of their character when they have to deal with the police.

On the other side of the coin, I’d guess that you lead a pretty sheltered life compared with what most police officers see. And unlike these you are replying to, you probably don’t know much about this person that you haven’t heard though the media yourself.

Deadmandrinking said :

Rikochet, you seem like a more reasonable person to discuss this with. I must point out though, that as far as we know, Massey hasn’t killed anyone before this. An event like this could change a person dramatically. Or, of course she might not give a sh-t. I’m just saying that the media tends to generate characters around people. Of course, this lady has a reputation that she’s built up herself…but something as large as facing a long sentence for murder can really get people to take a good long look at themselves. But, as I said, I can’t really say. What I’m trying to get across is that it’s a little difficult to tell just from media what a defendant is really thinking.

Sentencing has a punitive as well as rehabilitative side. Even if you were able to know 100% that a person will never commit a crime again in their lives, a crime like murder still deserves a hefty punishment.

Deadmandrinking said :

And with your thirdly, yes, that’s what I was trying to say. It’s just before you seemed to be saying that people only turn bad on drugs, which definitely isn’t true.

Well read it again. It’s pretty obvious that Rikochet was saying drugs are no excuse or justification for any crime (which they are not), and that they alter behaviour (which they do).

Yes drugs do affect a person’s behaviour and in the long run destroys the brain cells, which they never recover, I can just imagine Mrs R Massey changing her name, wouldn’t you if you were in her shoes, hope she changes the child’s sername also.

Deadmandrinking4:05 pm 02 Jul 09

Whatever VG, I’m sure everyone shows the best aspects of their character when they have to deal with the police.

Rikochet, you seem like a more reasonable person to discuss this with. I must point out though, that as far as we know, Massey hasn’t killed anyone before this. An event like this could change a person dramatically. Or, of course she might not give a sh-t. I’m just saying that the media tends to generate characters around people. Of course, this lady has a reputation that she’s built up herself…but something as large as facing a long sentence for murder can really get people to take a good long look at themselves. But, as I said, I can’t really say. What I’m trying to get across is that it’s a little difficult to tell just from media what a defendant is really thinking.

And with your thirdly, yes, that’s what I was trying to say. It’s just before you seemed to be saying that people only turn bad on drugs, which definitely isn’t true.

Also…I need to ask, do you really think the media feeds absolutely every little detail of a court case,

Im not talking about the court case .. Im talking about the whole character build up thing, its hard to be infamous without media coverage.. Same goes with being famous.

Secondly, How do I know she doesnt feel remorse? I have known this girl for longer than I even care to remember. She feels regret, but remorse? no..

Thirdly, yes I have met sober assholes.. and I have many stoners/addicts who are good people on and off drugs. Drugs dont give you a personality, they alter it.
The personality is already there. So if your an asshole sober, your a bigger asshole when your drunk or stoned.

Deadmandrinking said :

‘Again, this is just another excuse that she can use if she runs and gets caught.
Someone posted earlier that she is a nice person ‘when not taking drugs”…

Well, arent we all?? The whole concept of drugs is that they alter normal behaviour..”

You’ve never met a sober arsehole? I’ve met nice stoners.

Also…I need to ask, do you really think the media feeds absolutely every little detail of a court case, including what goes on in the defendant’s head? What evidence do you have that she does not feel remorse?

Funny how remorse and regret is confused by people of this ilk. You’ve obviously never met the lady in question.

I’ve met a ton of asswipes who became asswipes because of their drug usage. Often quite normal outside of their usage

Regardless of her surname, I think our community is better off without her in it.

Rikochet

And she keeps the surname only for the street infamy that it gives her.
From what I have heard of late she is changing it back to her maiden name.

This more or less what I heard, never met Matthew Massey nor do I wish to, I heard he was a big strong fellow, he can’t be too bad as he wants McDougll’s head on a platter.

Deadmandrinking4:08 pm 01 Jul 09

‘Again, this is just another excuse that she can use if she runs and gets caught.
Someone posted earlier that she is a nice person ‘when not taking drugs”…

Well, arent we all?? The whole concept of drugs is that they alter normal behaviour..”

You’ve never met a sober arsehole? I’ve met nice stoners.

Also…I need to ask, do you really think the media feeds absolutely every little detail of a court case, including what goes on in the defendant’s head? What evidence do you have that she does not feel remorse?

Lets be real here.

She is facing a murder charge.

She has nothing to lose by taking off. Whether or not she would last long on the run
is a different story, but she will still see that running is the better option.

A recent newspaper article quoted her lawyer , Jack Pappas, as saying that she is Bi Polar and has been receiving treatment for it, since being held in remand.

Again, this is just another excuse that she can use if she runs and gets caught.
Someone posted earlier that she is a nice person ‘when not taking drugs”…

Well, arent we all?? The whole concept of drugs is that they alter normal behaviour..

Strangely though, since we have been led to believe that Rebecca has cleaned up her act and is ready to face her ‘mental demons’ the thing we havent seen is any remorse for the death of the victim.

gift said :

Don’t forget her ex-husband is Matthew Massey, that’s why she keeps the surname, I doubt that anyone in their right mind would touch her, as they would end up where Matthew Massey is (prison).

I heard that another Massey brother is a guard at the jail. Hope that it is not true otherwise there would be serious potential for conflict of interest.

gift said :

Don’t forget her ex-husband is Matthew Massey, that’s why she keeps the surname, I doubt that anyone in their right mind would touch her, as they would end up where Matthew Massey is (prison).

Actually no, her ex husband is not on her side , hasnt been for ages, hence the ‘ex’ part.

And she keeps the surname only for the street infamy that it gives her.
From what I have heard of late she is changing it back to her maiden name.

Also, her ex isnt as feared by others as the media would have you believe.
The guy is an idiot with very little street respect from his criminal peers.

You can thank the media for the false reputation that he is branded with.
Yes, to the average person in society he is an undesirable, but to other criminals he is a joke.
The sooner the media stops stroking their ‘street ego’ the sooner these fuckwads will disappear and stop trying to live up to made up reputations.

Clown Killer

That was then this is now!

KC
Don’t know what your referring to??????????

Don’t forget her ex-husband is Matthew Massey, that’s why she keeps the surname, I doubt that anyone in their right mind would touch her, as they would end up where Matthew Massey is (prison).

Chopper said :

HAHAHAHHAAHAHAH she will dissapear and wont face court..

well done supreme court… ahahhahaha

Of course she will disappear.

And not just because of the charges she faces..

There are many out there that have been waiting for this very chance to ‘catch’ up with her for what she did.

She would have been safer staying inside.

Whoever posted bail for her can kiss it goodbye.
Another good call by the Supreme Court.

Die Lefty Scum9:07 am 30 Jun 09

Nosey said :

From memory the soon to be Mrs Massey had the potential to be an elite basketball player and stuffed it up.

So even if the environment she was raised in was not the most suitable, the fact is she had it and threw it away. No excuses.

To say they have potential which can’t be seen through the use of drugs and alcohol is a cop out.

Others can do it so why not them?

I think you may have mistaken her for that other chick with the woggy surname who’s been in the news lately.

HAHAHAHHAAHAHAH she will dissapear and wont face court..

well done supreme court… ahahhahaha

does anyone have a link to the picture. I can’t seem to find it.

Clown Killer

‘Police do have to prioritise their matters’

Clown Killer

Agreed Penfold said that, regarding this case, that was before a more serious crime was committed last year. It doesn’t take Einstein to work out which crime that I am referring to.

Counsel for the DPP sought to explain the fact that the prosecution brief had not been ready before 1 June, even though that date had been set more than 5 months earlier. He said that, although the early days of an investigation such as this would have involved a lot of police investigators, many of those police officers would now have moved on to other matters, leaving the informant and perhaps one other officer to conduct the investigations largely on their own and possibly on the basis that even those remaining investigators would have “other serious investigations to attend to”; he said that “police do have to prioritise their matters”

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy9:33 am 29 Jun 09

The investigation into why the taxi lines are so long at 2am?

Clown Killer8:59 am 29 Jun 09

Actually there is a higher priority case more important at the moment, which will go down Canberra’s history, I don’t know where you get your information from but I suggest you read up on current murder arrests.

Given that wilco was quoting Justice Penfold directly it’s pretty damn obvious where he gets his information from. But that aside, do enlighten us with this history making case of which you speak – one that the criminal justice system is apparently completely unaware of.

Wilco
Actually there is a higher priority case more important at the moment, which will go down Canberra’s history, I don’t know where you get your information from but I suggest you read up on current murder arrests.

49. I accept entirely the assertion that the police have to prioritise their work, but apart from active murder investigations in which no arrests have yet been made, and any police work aimed at preventing crimes such as major terrorist attacks, it is hard to see that there could be many investigations currently being conducted by ACT Policing that should have a higher priority than this one, especially while the accused remains in custody. As well, it is not clear that the investigation has been well-planned, given that nearly six months after the committal date was set, the investigating officers have still not sorted out the availability, or even the identity, of two expert witnesses.

Sounds like the whole Massey family needs to go for a swim in lake Burley Griffin wearing concrete floaties.

Clown Killer1:12 pm 28 Jun 09

Seems pretty hard to argue with that Wilco. Looks like someone needs to pull their finger out so this can get sorted out before anyone else gets hurt.

In granting bail, Justice Penfold was concerned about delays in this case – see http://www.courts.act.gov.au/supreme/judgments/massey1.htm extracts below

Delay in this case

37. In Massey [No. 1], Refshauge J said at [22] that in December 2008 “the delay in this case is significant, and is at the upper end of what might be considered acceptable”.

38. In December 2008 Ms Massey’s committal was scheduled for 1 June 2009; in the event, it was to be the first matter dealt with under the changes to committal processes made by the Crimes Legislation Amendment Act. Since 1 June it has become apparent that this committal process will be significantly delayed beyond the period of several weeks that might have been expected when the date was set in December.

39. On 1 June 2009 in the Magistrates Court, the DPP produced a substantial number of documents included in the prosecution brief that either had not been sent to the defence or, although sent, had not reached the defence. The DPP also advised the court that there was still significant material outstanding from the brief, including analysis of a variety of forensic material, material generated by the “enhancement of over 500 hours of listening device product”, and experts’ reports (to which I shall return).

40. As required under the new committal processes (see s 90AB of the Magistrates Court Act 1930), counsel for Ms Massey applied to the magistrate for leave to cross-examine about 40 witnesses identified by the Crown (43 witnesses are listed in the application in several categories, but there is some duplication among different categories). The matter was adjourned to 15 June.

41. On 15 June counsel for the DPP advised that there was still some important prosecution evidence outstanding, and the magistrate indicated that he would not deal with any of the applications to cross-examine witnesses until all the outstanding evidence had been served on the defence. The matter was adjourned for a mention in the Magistrates Court on 14 July with a view to the prosecution serving further documents on the defence by then. Only then, it seems, might a date be set for hearing the applications to cross-examine.

42. As well as the latest bundle of evidence, which was to be served on the defence around 17 June, there are two possibly important pieces of evidence for which no delivery dates can yet be given by the DPP. The details of these are as follows:

(a) Expert biomechanical evidence about the stabbing: The prosecution is dealing with an expert in this area with a view to obtaining a report; on 17 June counsel for the DPP told this court that it was hoped that by 26 June the DPP would know whether the expert who had been identified would be engaged to provide a report, and that it was further hoped that if that expert were engaged, a report would be available within a further period of two to four weeks. No information was available about what would happen if the identified expert was not engaged to provide a report (that is, whether another relevant expert would be sought, or whether the issue would be dropped).

(b) Expert evidence about knives and knife-related injuries: The prosecution is hoping to obtain such evidence from a police officer who is currently on indefinite sick leave. The DPP was unable to provide any advice about:

(i) when a decision would be made about how long the investigating officers would await this expert’s return to duty;

(ii) whether, if they decided that the expert would not return to work within a reasonable time, the investigating officers proposed to look for another expert; and

(iii) if so, whether they had already identified other possible experts who would be approached.

43. Thus, there is no basis on which I could be satisfied that even by the time the matter comes before the Magistrates Court again on 14 July, the magistrate will be able to set a hearing date for the applications for cross-examination. Even if at that point he does agree to set such a date without all the relevant evidence having been served, the date fixed is not likely to be before August.

44. The magistrate has indicated that the applications to cross-examine will be listed for two weeks of hearings. Even if he is then able to decide on all the applications ex tempore and immediately set a date for any permitted cross-examinations, it seems unlikely that such cross-examinations would start before September. Ex tempore decisions on the applications may be unlikely, since it seems that this will be the first significant consideration of such applications under the new committal provisions, and Ms Massey’s solicitor understands that the applications on her behalf to cross-examine witnesses are being treated in the Magistrates Court as something of a test case for the new committal processes. Even if cross-examinations do start in September, the committal is unlikely to be completed before the end of that month, and Ms Massey’s trial would seem unlikely to be listed before mid-2010 at the earliest (long trials are currently being listed for around April 2010). Counsel for Ms Massey has indicated that if the applications to cross-examine are refused, an appeal is likely, and this would extend the setting of a trial date even further.

45. Counsel for the DPP said on 17 June that he was “more optimistic than [counsel for Ms Massey] in relation to whether [the committal processes] could be finalised by the end of this year”, which seems to be a concession that those processes are unlikely to be finished much earlier than the end of the year.

46. In these circumstances, I assume that counsel for the DPP would not press the submission he made on 26 May 2009 that “it is more likely than not Ms Massey’s trial will come on sooner rather than later given [the new committal processes]”.

47. Counsel for the DPP sought to explain the fact that the prosecution brief had not been ready before 1 June, even though that date had been set more than 5 months earlier. He said that, although the early days of an investigation such as this would have involved a lot of police investigators, many of those police officers would now have moved on to other matters, leaving the informant and perhaps one other officer to conduct the investigations largely on their own and possibly on the basis that even those remaining investigators would have “other serious investigations to attend to”; he said that “police do have to prioritise their matters”.

48. If this accurately reflects the police approach to the investigation, it does not seem to me to be good enough. This is a case involving the most serious of charges, namely murder, and the particular circumstances of the alleged murder are such that there is clearly an enormous amount of detailed investigative work required to bring this matter to trial.

49. I accept entirely the assertion that the police have to prioritise their work, but apart from active murder investigations in which no arrests have yet been made, and any police work aimed at preventing crimes such as major terrorist attacks, it is hard to see that there could be many investigations currently being conducted by ACT Policing that should have a higher priority than this one, especially while the accused remains in custody. As well, it is not clear that the investigation has been well-planned, given that nearly six months after the committal date was set, the investigating officers have still not sorted out the availability, or even the identity, of two expert witnesses.

Conclusion—delay

50. I find that in this case the work of bringing this matter to trial does not seem to be being done at a reasonable pace. The investigation appears to be taking far longer than ought to be required, given the importance of the case and even accepting its complexity. Whether this is because of a shortage of resources, and whether some of the delays are attributable to this matter being one of the first to be dealt with under the new committal processes, does not seem to matter, and there is nothing before me to suggest that these delays are in any sense routine. For whatever reason, Ms Massey is currently being affected by what appear to be excessive or inordinate delays in bringing her case to trial.

Well as long as Mrs R Massey keeps off the speed and ice, she might have a hope, and keeps away from Mr M.M…….
I imagine the police are very busy with all the crimes committed in Canberra not to mention the murders, yes believe it or not the crims can get bail, I wonder who put up bail?? Hope it wasn’t too excessive

zig said :

p1 said :

If the police have a strong case, and I believe they do, what is holding up the court?

Probably the ineptitude of the coppers themselves or it’s because the justice system keeps protecting scum.

If the Police case is strong, that would tend to discount Police ineptitude wouldn’t it ??

From memory the soon to be Mrs Massey had the potential to be an elite basketball player and stuffed it up.

So even if the environment she was raised in was not the most suitable, the fact is she had it and threw it away. No excuses.

To say they have potential which can’t be seen through the use of drugs and alcohol is a cop out.

Others can do it so why not them?

the question is.what is the justice system doing bailing out an alleged murderer

One reason is that if there was a certainty of no bail no matter how long the case took to come to trial, there’d be no incentive at all for the prosecution to ensure it happens in a timely manner. In fact quite the opposite – their incentive would be to spin it out for as many years as possible.

Skidd Marx, bipolar and depression aren’t the same thing.

Don’t forget the added bonus of not even being in jail all the time- they let’s you have time off to visit sick relatives and it’s up to you whether or not you want to go back!

Roadrage77 said :

Is there anywhere else in the world where you could get bail for a mere $1000 having stabbing someone to death?

Apparently not. As far as I can tell one of the best places to commit violent crime at the moment is Canberra. There are several advantages that Canberra has. Very low conviction rates for murder. Very easy to obtain bail and if you are unfortunate to get convicted you will spend your very brief sentence in a luxurious human rights approved prison.

Beserk Keyboard Warrior10:08 am 27 Jun 09

Nice call Anna.

For those like myself who have been dying to put a face to the name which is Bec Massey (B-Mass to her friends), there’s a large colour pic of her leaving court on page 2 of today’s C.T. Ironically she appears to be holding some sort of knife/crude sheath in her right hand.

So is she going to be living in Charnwood again amongst all the witnesses??

Who keeps them safe from her and her family?

sunshine said :

i have nothing against the Massey’s -mind u rebecca is no longer a massey.

Thanks for clarifying that. Good to know that rehabilitation is just a name change away

They said on the news that poor old Bec has been suffering from Bipolar and that medication has stabilised her mood swings. I feel much safer now. As is so often the case, the alleged perpetrator is actually the victim!

Seems like depression is the standard defence these days.

Is there anywhere else in the world where you could get bail for a mere $1000 having stabbing someone to death?

p1 said :

If the police have a strong case, and I believe they do, what is holding up the court?

Probably the ineptitude of the coppers themselves or it’s because the justice system keeps protecting scum.

If the police have a strong case, and I believe they do, what is holding up the court?

No, leave Sunshine alone. She is everything that is truly good about the A.C.T..a happy happy joy joy place far removed from any concept of reality. Of course Massey/”No Longer a Massey”/the “crook formerly known as Massey” was going to get bail! Fair dinkum, is anyone surprised!? Will we be any more surprised when she is waggled with the sternest finger available when said bail is breached?

Will my use of the vernacular “fair dinkum” without permission of PM Sauce Bottle get me in more trouble than the offender?

It should not matter how long the poor darling had to wait for her case to go to court. From the reports I have seen the Police case is very strong and add in her long criminal history then I fail to see what person with half a brain would think this woman is worthy of bail?

Sorry sunshine- I just knew you would pop up on this thread. You’re comments are always really interesting on these sorts of topics. Sunshine does not heart Massey.

i hope rebecca abides by the bail conditions. Concerning that she was bailed however she is…..therefore hopefully she doesn’t breach.

i have nothing against the Massey’s -mind u rebecca is no longer a massey.
i personally know the massey brothers and the soon to be mrs massey (janna) and without the drugs they are all nice people with potential……it’s the drugs and environment they grew up in that contributes to where they are today. sad really.

i also knew the booshands – same goes there.

sad case in all areas.

the question is.what is the justice system doing bailing out an alleged murderer

jessieduck said :

Cue Sunshine in 5,4,3,2,1

????

Cue Sunshine in 5,4,3,2,1

barking toad4:58 pm 26 Jun 09

Our Hil’s been taking lessons from our Tez

Deckard said :

Not carry a weapon or knife in public?!?! This Justice Penfold hands down strict conditions!!

I’m guessing the following conversation will take place in teh next couple of weeks:

Penfold: “I told you no weapons or knives, Massey!”
Massey: “No, no… You said no weapons or knives in ‘public’. I beheaded the deceased with a machete and an axe in my kitchen, ergo I am not in breach of bail and am free to go”.
Penfold: “Cor Blimey RM, your right, my mistake. Off you go… Can I call you a cab?”

The ‘weapon in public’ bit, just means that if she *IS* caught with a weapon in public, she can be charged with that, plus also breach of bail straight away.

The fact that not carrying a weapon has to be specified as a bail condition must cast serious doubt on her suitability for bail.

Anyway, isn’t letting her out on bail a hardship for her? Separating her from the majority of her family.

Boo hoo – Massey is being affected by delays in her trial ….nowhere near as much as Elizabeth Booshand was affected by having a knife stuck in her.

LG said :

Deckard said :

Not carry a weapon or knife in public?!?! This Justice Penfold hands down strict conditions!!

I would have thought not breaking the law was automatically a part of all bail conditions?

So she can carry a weapon in private????

Deckard said :

Not carry a weapon or knife in public?!?! This Justice Penfold hands down strict conditions!!

I would have thought not breaking the law was automatically a part of all bail conditions?

Where is the option for 1 hour?

I gave her a week, but I suspect she won’t make it that far!

Not carry a weapon or knife in public?!?! This Justice Penfold hands down strict conditions!!

I’ve gone for two weeks. Most people can stay on their best behaviour for a week. Two weeks however people start to go back to their old ways….

If you change the question to “when will she be caught breaking bail” then I can pick one. Otherwise, I feel that one day option to be a little long…

The system can’t get the csse together so the public has to deal with her daily, excellent!!!!!!

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