Domenic Perre found guilty of murder over 1994 National Crime Authority bombing
Domenic Perre has been rushed to hospital after he was found guilty of murder over the 1994 bombing of the National Crime Authority in Adelaide that killed a police detective.
Perre sent the parcel bomb to the NCA and the explosion killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and injured lawyer Peter Wallis.
Today, 28 years after the deadly blast, there was a collective gasp in the courtroom as Perre was found guilty of both murder and attempted murder by a judge.
Twenty-eight years after the National Crime Authority office bombing in Adelaide, Domenic Perre has been found guilty. 9News
NCA bomber Domenic Perre collapsed moments after being found guilty of murder and attempted murder. 9News
However, moments after the verdict was handed down, Perre collapsed and had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Perre has always been the main suspect in the case, and police have maintained that the bombing was revenge as he had a seething hatred for authorities.
His rage was honed in on Bowen, who had arrested him six months prior over a $20 million cannabis crop.
The judge said in his lengthy reasons while handing down the verdict that Perre had undertaken detailed research including practice bombs.
Witness accounts said the bomber had a desire to take out as many police as possible, which the judge agreed with.
Family members of the victims of the attack sobbed in court as the verdict was read.
Jane Bowen, Geoffrey Bowen's wife, turned and hugged detectives.
"This crime was and remains unprecedented in its violence against law enforcement in Australia," David Gorton, Bowen's brother in law, said today.
South Australian Police Commissioner Grant Stevens said after the verdict: "We have an outcome today that vindicates the unrelenting efforts of police."
"Today Domenic Perre has finally been held accountable for the terrible crimes he committed," Detective Superintendent Des Bray added.
Perre is already behind bars for drug offences.
He will return to court in September for sentencing submissions.
Perre's son Anthony said he was "obviously disappointed" by the verdict.
"We'll wait for counsel to consider the judgement," he said.
"Then we expect the appeal process to take its place."
Perre's legal team has 28 days to lodge an appeal.
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