The Chamberlain Case Study

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WAS LINDY CHAMBERLAIN TREATED FAIRLY BY THE JUSTICE SYSTEM AND SOCIETY? (2) The Chamberlain case is a well-known event in Australian history that has been contested since the 1980s. Before the official trial, numerous people speculated what had happened, with many believing Lindy Chamberlain had murdered Azaria. However, it is now believed that the accused was subjected to a miscarriage of justice. To determine the fairness and impartiality of the Chamberlain case, we need to assess the role of the media, the nature of the evidence at the trial and the police investigation. Assessing these would then show that the Chamberlains did not receive fair treatment due to the inconsistences in the justice system and the public prejudice on society.…show more content…
Furthermore, for an act of murder to take place, there has to be a motive. When evaluating the evidence it is noticed that Lindy Chamberlain had no motive to kill Azaria and there was lack of evidence presented. Many of the statements and observing from witnesses contained contrast and contradiction within the information, rendering the evidence as useless. In addition, it is observed that a majority of the evidence that would’ve assisted the defence’s case was rejected and ignored, giving an unfair advantage to the prosecution. Engineer Harris, who had conducted dingo research, had cited an example of a captive female dingo removing a bundle of meat from its wrapping paper and leaving the paper intact. However, the evidence was rejected. Also ignored was the statement of a woman dingo tracker who had tracked the dingo and found places where it had put the baby down, leaving the imprint of the baby's clothing in the soil. Therefore the lack of proof and the disregard of evidence show that Lindy Chamberlain was treated falsely by the justice…show more content…
The publicity of the case and the one-sided role of the media caused a majority of people, internationally, to be biased and influenced. This impact then led to numerous problems and difficulties in being treated fairly, such as finding an impartial jury. This factor of having preconceived idea meant that the jury had already decided Lindy Chamberlain’s fate, opposing the justice being “served,” legitimately. Wiping away any chance for Lindy Chamberlain to prove her innocence creates an inevitable outcome. The Chamberlains being judged under a heavily biased jury influenced by the media, therefore shows the maltreatment of the case by the justice system and the society. In conclusion, the Lindy Chamberlain was NOT treated impartially by the society and the justice system. After evaluating the role of the media, nature of evidence and police investigation, it is determined that the Chamberlain case was not judged fairly. The evidence was lacking, unreliable and tampered with, there was no motive, society was exposed to one sided media and the jury was biased. Overall, the assessment of the case thus indicates that Lindy Chamberlain was indeed treated unfairly by the justice system AND the
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