NT: Burke may offer reward in connection with woman s death

AAP General News (Australia)
12-04-2000
NT: Burke may offer reward in connection with woman s death

DARWIN, Dec 4 AAP - Northern Territory Chief Minister Denis Burke is considering offering
a reward for information to bring charges two years after a woman died during sex and
was found buried in a dry bed in Alice Springs.

NT coroner Greg Cavanagh concluded that Cheryl Braedon, 21, died during what was probably
consensual sex on September 3, 1998.

She died of accident asphyxia caused by acute alcohol toxicity, obesity and her posture,
the coroner found.

But Mr Cavanagh recommended charges against two men for interfering with her body,
perverting the course of justice and making false statements to police over the burial
in the Todd River bed which concealed the tragedy for five days.

Her mother, Connie Braedon, has called for a large reward for information to bring
convictions against the men.

Mr Burke, who is also NT attorney-general, said today he was prepared to disregard
legal advice by posting a reward.

"I've written to the Director of Public Prosecutions (Rex Wild) asking for an explanation
as to why charges haven't been laid," Mr Burke said.

"There is advice to say that a reward is not appropriate; I'm not satisfied with that;
I'll wait to see what the DPP says to me.

"It's a tragedy and an ongoing tragedy for the mother and family involved and Cheryl
didn't bury herself."

Connie Braedon, who led a rally for justice for her daughter in Alice Springs two weeks
ago, said the fact that some cases attracted rewards while others did not was unfair.

"I thought the courts helped everybody but in my case, they didn't," she said.

AAP rmg/cjh/

KEYWORD: REWARD

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