Inquest into brothel madam murder resumes

The inquest into the execution-style murder of Perth brothel madam Shirley Finn has resumed, with more than a dozen people scheduled to give testimony this week.

Ms Finn was wearing a ball gown when shot four times in the head at point blank range in her Dodge Phoenix on the edge of Royal Perth Golf Club either late on June 21, 1975 or early the following day.

Evidence on Monday centred around the police canteen, where retired policeman Brian Eddy told the inquest last year he saw Ms Finn with then vice squad chief Bernie Johnson just before she was murdered.

Trevor Lawrence, who was a constable at the time, told the inquest a drunk and swearing senior sergeant asked him if he had signed in "that harlot" to the visitors book then ripped out the page.

Mr Lawrence said he had not seen Ms Finn but had seen the visitors book with a page ripped out and didn't know why the sergeant made the accusation.

Gary Timms, who was also then a junior policeman, said the sergeant was drunk and belligerent, asking "who's signed these sluts in?"

But the sergeant was referring to some other women who were in the canteen, Mr Timms said and he could not recollect Ms Finn being there.

He said he had also seen the visitors book with a page ripped out and had "no idea" who did it.

The inquest, which is set down for four more days, last year heard from dozens of witnesses, many of whom said they believed there was high-level police involvement in the killing.