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Sydney siege inquest orders search for deputy police commissioner's text messages Sydney siege inquest orders search for deputy police commissioner's text messages
(14 days later)
A telecommunications provider has been directed to track down text messages the NSW police deputy commissioner, Catherine Burn, sent during and soon after the deadly Sydney siege, a coronial inquest has heard.A telecommunications provider has been directed to track down text messages the NSW police deputy commissioner, Catherine Burn, sent during and soon after the deadly Sydney siege, a coronial inquest has heard.
Counsel assisting the coroner investigating the Lindt Cafe stand-off, Jeremy Gormly SC, said he was concerned about the absence of the texts, and had been told steps were being taken to try to retrieve them from the server.Counsel assisting the coroner investigating the Lindt Cafe stand-off, Jeremy Gormly SC, said he was concerned about the absence of the texts, and had been told steps were being taken to try to retrieve them from the server.
“If they are retained, then they’ll have to go through the clearance process and will be produced to all parties,” Gormly told the inquest on Wednesday.“If they are retained, then they’ll have to go through the clearance process and will be produced to all parties,” Gormly told the inquest on Wednesday.
“If they’re not retained, then we will ask Ms Burn about that [when she appears at the inquest next week].”“If they’re not retained, then we will ask Ms Burn about that [when she appears at the inquest next week].”
Related: Andrew Scipione and Catherine Burn to appear before Lindt cafe siege inquest
Phillip Boulton SC, acting for the family of slain hostage Katrina Dawson, said he was particularly interested in two text messages sent within about 90 minutes of the December 2014 siege reaching its deadly conclusion.Phillip Boulton SC, acting for the family of slain hostage Katrina Dawson, said he was particularly interested in two text messages sent within about 90 minutes of the December 2014 siege reaching its deadly conclusion.
“They’re very proximate and it’s likely that they’re going to be about the mechanics either during the siege or immediately after,” Boulton said.“They’re very proximate and it’s likely that they’re going to be about the mechanics either during the siege or immediately after,” Boulton said.
“We aren’t of the view that simply because things happened at 2.14[am] and following that they’re not pertinent. They can shed light on what has been happening.”“We aren’t of the view that simply because things happened at 2.14[am] and following that they’re not pertinent. They can shed light on what has been happening.”
His argument was echoed by Gabrielle Bashir SC, the barrister for the family of the slain Lindt Cafe manager, Tori Johnson.His argument was echoed by Gabrielle Bashir SC, the barrister for the family of the slain Lindt Cafe manager, Tori Johnson.
“The fact that there were messages after doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not highly relevant to your honour’s inquiry,” Bashir said.“The fact that there were messages after doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not highly relevant to your honour’s inquiry,” Bashir said.
Ian Freckelton SC, acting for NSW police, said policy dictated that officers did not make key decisions via text messages.Ian Freckelton SC, acting for NSW police, said policy dictated that officers did not make key decisions via text messages.
“It is their practice not to give orders or make directions via SMS,” he said.“It is their practice not to give orders or make directions via SMS,” he said.
He said every effort was being made to track the texts down through the telco’s server, but Burn’s handset from the time could not be physically interrogated because it had since been replaced.He said every effort was being made to track the texts down through the telco’s server, but Burn’s handset from the time could not be physically interrogated because it had since been replaced.
“That’s one of the logistical impediments in this regard,” Freckelton said.“That’s one of the logistical impediments in this regard,” Freckelton said.
The coroner, Michael Barnes, is seeking to determine whether Burn or any other executive officers inappropriately intruded – or failed to intervene when they ought to have – during the Martin Place siege.The coroner, Michael Barnes, is seeking to determine whether Burn or any other executive officers inappropriately intruded – or failed to intervene when they ought to have – during the Martin Place siege.
Despite being put forward by the NSW premier, Mike Baird, as a key officer during the siege, Burn has denied giving any key operational guidance, directions or advice during the stand-off.Despite being put forward by the NSW premier, Mike Baird, as a key officer during the siege, Burn has denied giving any key operational guidance, directions or advice during the stand-off.
Burn is set to appear before the inquest early next week.Burn is set to appear before the inquest early next week.