Analysis of the Lindy Chamberlain Case and Criminal Justice System

This case study analyzes the infamous Lindy Chamberlain case, focusing on the disappearance of baby Azaria and Lindy's subsequent wrongful conviction. The assignment details the events of the trial, including the evidence presented by both the prosecution and the defense, highlighting the role o...Read More

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R
Introduction
The case chosen for the analysis is that “Death of Baby Azaria and the Trial of Lindy
Chamberlain”. The chosen case had taken place in the mid-eighties, and highlights
the issues of the conviction of the innocent in the criminal justice system. The brief
outline is as follow.
Brief outline of the case
The incident took place in the year 1980, when the Chamberlain family along with
their baby named Azaria had went on to vacation near the Ayers Rock, as situated in
the Northern Territory of Australia. It is when the baby disappeared from the tent
and thus the case revolves around the investigation into baby’s disappearance.
Pre Trial Stage
The couple Lindy and Michael Chamberlain had gone for a vacation on 17 August
1980, along with their baby Azaria. The baby had disappeared from the family tent
(Haberman, 2014). The discovery of the bloody jumpsuit and singlet of baby
happened on 24 August near the base of the rock by a tourist. It was found by
Coroner Barritt in the year 1981, February 20 that the baby might have been killed
by a dingo or a wild dog, which the Northern police searched the home of the
parents in NSW. Further, the findings were quashed by the Supreme Court of the
Northern Territory and a fresh searched was ordered. On the second inquest of the
Coroner, the police engaged in the investigation believed that the study of the
jumpsuit led to the revelations of the murder. The study was conducted by a British
forensic expert, and as per the observations of the blood marks, the throat of the
baby seemed to have been slit.
Key drawings from trial
Some of the key trial moments are listed as follows. It is important to note that in
spite of the absence of the motive, eye witnesses, and the body, the prosecution was

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R
opened by the Northern Territory against Lindy Chamberlain. The jury comprised of
a total of twelve judges. As the case was opened by Ian Barker, it was stated by him
that, “the reason for the quick process of dying of the baby was the slit throat
(Famous Trials, 2020).” It is essential to note that most of the eye witnesses and
the persons presenting their testimony in the case were equally supportive of the
defense as well as the prosecution, by whom they were actually presented. It was
argued by the prosecution on the base of the witness Amy Whittaker that behavior
of Chamberlains towards the baby was strange. As per the forensic expert Dr.
Andrew Scott as presented by the prosecution, it was stated that the direction of the
blood flowing downward indicated the possibility of throat being slit by a sharp
object (Famous Trials, 2020). Several other experts such as a London based
ondontologist and professor of forensic medicine were consulted and accounted for
which additionally highlighted the usage of the sharp object.
In response, the defense presented an argument that print on the baby’s body suit
made by “bloodied fingers” displayed four phalanges, while Lindy Chamberlain, just
like other humans had three of it. Dozens of eye witnesses additionally testified
Lindy’s fine character.
In addition other key points are when Ian Baker QC, the prosecutor had repeatedly
tried to get Michael Chamberlain to the confession that the story was nonsense and
made up, in spite of him urging to the jury that to believe on his wife’s account. This
highlights the pressure tactics as used by the prosecution to get their points proved.
The fact that the baby was a prey to dingo at the Rock was not only treated by
suspicion by the media, but the general public as well. The verdict was announced
where Lindy was found guilty of murder. Additionally, High Court upheld the
conviction of the Chamberlains in February 1984.
Post Trial Stage
The aftermath of the trial was that Lindy spent her years in the prison. This
continued for almost three years before Royal Commission Inquiry led to the new
evidences and seek pardon for the wrongful conviction of Lindy (Kyriakakis, 2012). A
petition with 131,000 signatures was presented for fresh inquiry into the case and
release of Lindy to the Governor General in the year 1984. As the matinee jacket of

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R
the baby is recovered from the rock, fresh inquiry is announced in the year 1986. Not
only the convictions were quashed against the couple in the year 1988, but later
received a compensation of $1.3 million on the fact that the evidence was
insubstantial. It was concluded that exact cause of the death of baby couldn’t be
determined in year 1995.
Wider implications from the case and the effectiveness of the Criminal Justice
System
As stated in the previous parts, the case is a significant instance in the history of
Australia in relation to the wrongful conviction of an individual and the human cost
of the same. One of the key issues that arose in the case was the role of the media.
The media trial of the case was such that the specific commission of the court
drawings was done by the ABC Television, where court proceedings were broadcast
at afternoon 3.30 throughout Australia in the form of National News (National
Museum Australia , 2020). It is significant to note that such broadcast would also
extend at Darwin. As there was time differences between the southern states and
Darwin, real time drawings of the court happenings would go in air before the finish
of the court sessions. Thus, while initially media played a role against the
Chamberlain, later on it played a central role in highlighting the key lapses in the
case.

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R
Works Cited
Haberman, C. (2014, November 16). Vindication at Last for a Woman Scorned by
Australia's New Outlets . Retrieved March 26 , 2020, from The New York Times :
https://www.nytimes.com/2014/11/17/us/vindication-at-last-for-a-woman-
scorned-by-australias-news-media.html
Kyriakakis, J. (2012, June 19). Lessons from the Chamberlain case: the human cost
of wrongful conviction. Retrieved March 26, 2020, from The Conversation:
https://theconversation.com/lessons-from-the-chamberlain-case-the-human-
cost-of-wrongful-conviction-7730
National Museum Australia . (2020). Chamberlain trial drawings. Retrieved
March 26, 2020, from National Museum Australia:
https://www.nma.gov.au/explore/collection/highlights/chamberlain-trial-
drawings
Famous Trials (2020). The Trial of Lindy and Michael Chamberlain ("The Dingo
Trial"). Retrieved April 02, 2020, from Famous Trials: https://famous-
trials.com/dingo/457-home
- Knowledge and
Understanding Inquiry Analysis and Evaluation Communication
A Comprehensive knowledge and
perceptive understanding of
relevant influences on the
Astute and critical location,
selection, documentation, and
application of relevant sources.
Comprehensive analysis of the
Australian legal, constitutional,
and justice systems.
Consistently accurate an
communication of highly
observations and opinion

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R
- Knowledge and
Understanding Inquiry Analysis and Evaluation Communication
Australian legal system.
Comprehensive knowledge and
astute understanding of legal
principles, processes, and
structures.
Perceptive recognition and
understanding of ways in which the
Australian legal system responds to
diverse groups in the community.
Incisive critique of legal processes
and structures, with well-informed
and well-considered
recommendations for change.
Perceptive analysis of
principles, processes, and
structures in legal systems.
Perceptive evaluation of legal
issues or concepts through
discussion and illustration of
opposing arguments to reach an
informed conclusion.
contemporary legal issue
debates, using different f
Appropriate and astute
legal terminology, indic
depth understanding.
Consistent and appropria
acknowledgment of a div
of sources.
B Detailed knowledge and well-
considered understanding of
relevant influences on the
Australian legal system.
Detailed knowledge and well-
considered understanding of
legal principles, processes, and
structures.
Thoughtful recognition and
understanding of ways in which the
Australian legal system responds to
diverse groups in the community.
Considered and critical location,
selection, documentation, and
application of relevant sources.
Convincing critique of legal
processes and structures, with
informed and considered
recommendations for change.
Detailed analysis of the
Australian legal, constitutional,
and justice systems.
Well-considered analysis of
principles, processes, and
structures in legal systems.
Thoughtful evaluation of legal
issues or concepts through
discussion and illustration of
opposing arguments to reach an
informed conclusion.
Mostly accurate and coh
communication of well-in
observations and opinion
contemporary legal issue
debates, using different f
Appropriate and well-c
use of legal terminolog
indicating some depth
understanding.
Mostly consistent and ap
acknowledgment of a ran
sources.
C Appropriate knowledge and
considered understanding of
relevant influences on the
Australian legal system.
Appropriate knowledge and
considered understanding of
legal principles, processes, and
structures.
Considered recognition and
understanding of ways in which the
Australian legal system responds to
diverse groups in the community.
Considered location, selection,
documentation, and application of
relevant sources.
Competent critique of legal
processes and structures, with
some informed and considered
recommendations for change.
Informed analysis of the
Australian legal, constitutional,
and justice systems.
Considered analysis of
principles, processes, and
structures in legal systems.
Considered evaluation of legal
issues or concepts through
discussion and illustration of
opposing arguments to reach a
conclusion.
Generally accurate and c
communication of inform
observations and opinion
contemporary legal issue
debates, using different f
Appropriate and consid
of legal terminology, in
competent understand
Mostly appropriate ackno
of sources.
D Some recognition and awareness
of one or more influences on the
Australian legal system.
Some awareness of legal
principles, processes, or
structures.
Some recognition of ways in which
the Australian legal system
responds to diverse groups in the
community.
Some thought given to the
location, selection,
documentation, and/or application
of sources.
Basic consideration of some legal
processes and structures, with
simple recommendations for
change.
Some consideration of analysis
of the Australian legal,
constitutional, and justice
systems.
Superficial consideration of
principles, processes, and
structures in legal systems.
Some consideration of legal
issues or concepts through
discussion and description of
some arguments.
Some accuracy in comm
basic observations or op
contemporary legal issue
debates, in one or more
Some use of legal term
indicating awareness o
for appropriate use.
Some inconsistent ackno
of sources.
E Limited awareness of influences on
the Australian legal system.
Limited awareness of any legal
principles, processes, or
structures.
Emerging awareness of one or
more ways in which the Australian
legal system responds to diverse
groups in the community.
Attempted location, selection,
documentation, or application of
sources that may be relevant.
Limited awareness of legal
processes or structures.
Brief description of an aspect of
analysis of the Australian legal,
constitutional, and justice
systems.
Brief description of one or
more principles, structures, or
processes in legal systems.
Limited consideration of a legal
issue or concept through
observation of a discussion.
Limited accuracy in com
through a selected form,
observations or opinions
contemporary legal issue
Restricted use of legal
terminology, indicating
awareness of the need
appropriate use.
Limited acknowledgment

Lleane Dominique Sun
AT2 Legal Studies – Case Study
946937R