O'Dempsey faces trial over 1970s case

THE McCULKINS COLD CASE MURDER TRIAL:

WHO

Vincent O'Dempsey, 78, has pleaded not guilty to three charges of murder and one of deprivation of liberty over the 1974 disappearance of Barbara McCulkin and her two daughters, Vicky and Leanne.

The McCulkins have not been seen or heard from since January 16, 1974 and their bodies have never been found.

WHY

Barbara was allegedly murdered by O'Dempsey over fears she could implicate him in the 1973 Whiskey Au Go Go nightclub firebombing in which 15 people died.

THE CROWN'S CASE

O'Dempsey and his associate Garry Dubois took the McCulkins from their home at Highgate Hill, with witnesses to testify they saw the two men there the night they disappeared

O'Dempsey's distinctive orange Charger was seen by young neighbours who were friends with the McCulkin girls, aged 13 and 11.

In the decades after the disappearances, O'Dempsey told three people in "the criminal milieu" who he could "expect to trust " he was involved in the murders.

There was no sign of a struggle in McCulkin's home when the girls' father and Barbara's ex-husband Billy McCulkin broke in on the 18th after searching for his family for two days.

A dress was the on the sewing machine, Mrs McCulkin's wallet with $8 and her engagement ring were on the fridge. Two of the family's cats were locked in a bathroom. Two cheques from medical benefits on which Mrs McCulkin had been waiting were in the letterbox.

THE TRIAL

Estimated to last four weeks in the Brisbane Supreme Court with 63 witnesses, including some evidence to come from statements made by deceased witnesses.