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Jason Roberts has taken his first steps of freedom in 22 years, after being locked up for against the law he has at all times maintained he didn’t commit.
Roberts, 41, was given the decision earlier than Melbourne’s Supreme Court docket about 10am, with the jury having deliberated since Thursday.
Households of the cops in courtroom gasped as the decision was learn, with many breaking into tears.
The trial in opposition to Roberts started on March 8, with proof introduced for 3 months earlier than two weeks of closing addresses by legal professionals.
Roberts was accused of capturing useless Sergeant Gary Silk and Senior Constable Rodney Miller whereas they had been working at Moorabbin in Melbourne’s south-east in 1998.
He was 17 when the cops had been investigating a collection of armed robberies in Melbourne’s southern and japanese suburbs within the early hours of August 16, 1998.
The officers had been each shot shortly after they pulled over a automobile on Cochranes Street.
Prosecutors alleged Roberts was the seemingly passenger in that automobile and the motive force was Bandali Debs, the daddy of Roberts’ girlfriend.
Silk was shot 3 times and died on the scene.
Miller later died from his accidents in hospital.
Roberts was granted bail earlier than the courtroom after the decision was learn.
Previous to the trial, he pleaded responsible to 10 armed robberies that occurred within the months earlier than the cops had been killed.
He might be sentenced for the robberies later this yr.
Roberts merely stated “no remark” when he was approached by media as he left the courtroom about 11.45am.
Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Shane Patton stated he was deeply “upset” within the verdict.
“Because the chief commissioner, as a police officer and as a colleague who labored with Sergeant Gary Silk and in addition did a few jobs with Senior Constable Rodney Miller, this determination may be very disappointing,” Patton stated.
“Once I heard the choice, my first ideas had been for the households, the households we have now recognized for twenty-four years, 24 lengthy years.
“We did not anticipate the decision to come back again this shortly.
“As I stated, I am upset with that verdict.
“Our ideas are with the Silk and Miller households in the present day and we all know this might be a troublesome time for them.
“We are going to proceed to help each households in addition to the numerous police who proceed to be impacted by the tragic lack of Gary Silk and Rod Miller.
“This matter has been topic to a major investigation through the years and we recognise the tireless work of these investigators, together with Lorimer Taskforce.”
Police Affiliate Secretary Wayne Gatt has stated the the decision was “actually one we did not anticipate in the present day”.
“Certainly, that unhappiness goes to be very, very deeply felt by the members of our fallen members,” he stated.
“Shedding not one, however two of our members at work some 24 years in the past is the worst factor that you can ever think about.”
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