Silk-Miller murders: Former policeman admits to falsifying key document
Former Homicide squad veteran Charlie Bezzina has admitted to falsifying a document at the centre of an IBAC inquiry focusing on the Silk-Miller murder investigation.
Mr Bezzina took charge of the scene shortly after officers Gary Silk and Rodney Miller were gunned down in August 1998.
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Gary Silk and Rodney Miller 9News
At the centre of the IBAC inquiry is a statement Mr Bezzina took from a police officer about Const. Miller's dying moments.
That statement was later significantly changed, adding in that Const. Miller had identified two attackers.
Mr Bezzina's signature on the second statement was dated August 1998, even though he actually signed it two years later.
Charlie Bezzina (right) is a former Homicide Squad veteran. 9news
He denies he did so to beef up evidence against Jason Roberts, who was convicted over the murders along with Bendali Debs.
"I would've understood the enormity of that and the potential to pervert the course of justice,” Mr Bezzina said.
Counsel Assisting IBAC Jack Rush QC put that changing the statement had a "real prospect of upsetting the integrity of the police inquiry from the very first day”.
Mr Bezzina said, "absolutely".
Mr Bezzina has admitted to falsifying a document at the centre of the IBAC inquiry into the Silk-Miller murder probe. 9news
Asked by Commissioner Redlich why he signed something that was false, he replied:
"In hindsight I've got to accept that and I've got no excuses."
Mr Bezzina was asked if it was common practice while he was in the homicide squad for statements to be back-dated. He said it was, and it applied to other areas of the police force as well.
His lawyer told the commission he wants time to examine the transcript of proceedings, and may put his client back in the stand tomorrow.
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