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Blackened Tanner
In the minds of most Australians, I am a murderer. Yet I did not kill anybody, and I know nothing of the deaths blamed on me. Denis Tanner
Denis Tanner was a member of Victoria Police in 1984, when his sister-in-law Jenny was found shot dead at her home outside the village of Bonnie Doon. Eleven years later the remains of a transsexual prostitute, Adele Bailey, were found in the nearby hills. Rumour linked Denis Tanner to both deaths, and a massive police operation was launched. In 1997 a coronial inquest found him responsible for Jenny’s murder.
Yet years of surveillance had failed to produce any evidence that would allow police to charge Denis Tanner with a crime. He has never had a day in court or a chance to clear his name. The only court in which he has been charged is the court of public opinion.
In Blackened Tanner: The Denis Tanner Story, former detective Ron Irwin shows in forensic detail how Denis Tanner was wrongly accused and reveals one of the most disturbing miscarriages of justice in Australian history.
This book uncovers the incompetence and tunnel vision that led police astray and exposes how media outlets became Tanner’s judge and jury. Ron’s persistent search for the truth led him to reinvestigate the case himself, using the skills he honed in his career investigating crime. He has written this book to set the record straight and make the case for a new inquest, which he is sure will declare Denis Tanner innocent.
Denis Tanner was a member of Victoria Police in 1984, when his sister-in-law Jenny was found shot dead at her home outside the village of Bonnie Doon. Eleven years later the remains of a transsexual prostitute, Adele Bailey, were found in the nearby hills. Rumour linked Denis Tanner to both deaths, and a massive police operation was launched. In 1997 a coronial inquest found him responsible for Jenny’s murder.
Yet years of surveillance had failed to produce any evidence that would allow police to charge Denis Tanner with a crime. He has never had a day in court or a chance to clear his name. The only court in which he has been charged is the court of public opinion.
In Blackened Tanner: The Denis Tanner Story, former detective Ron Irwin shows in forensic detail how Denis Tanner was wrongly accused and reveals one of the most disturbing miscarriages of justice in Australian history.
This book uncovers the incompetence and tunnel vision that led police astray and exposes how media outlets became Tanner’s judge and jury. Ron’s persistent search for the truth led him to reinvestigate the case himself, using the skills he honed in his career investigating crime. He has written this book to set the record straight and make the case for a new inquest, which he is sure will declare Denis Tanner innocent.
- GenresTrue CrimeCrime
289 pages, Paperback
First published July 1, 2012
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33 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 20, 2012
Review by Fred and Jeanette
Over the years I have read a considerable amount of newspaper articles on this and have, like many, been intrigued and perplexed by it. I confess I also believed that Denis Tanner was guilty - based on what I had read. I have not lived in Australia for 8 years and was recently home for a visit and purchased the book which I have just finished.
Words now fail me as to how I have felt - shocked, disgusted, appalled, saddened and deeply disappointed in a Country, political system, legal system and Police service who I sincerely trusted and believed would "do the right thing". The bad guys were always caught and punished accordingly.
The Tanner family, and in particular Denis deserve the opportunity to prove their innocence and I am appalled that everyone has failed him in this regard.
Congratulations Ron on having the courage to write this book. It would seem you are of the "old school" (as I am) where you believe in right and wrong and thought that Governments and the Police were there to protect you. Please continue the fight - do not give up.
Regards
Jeanette
Over the years I have read a considerable amount of newspaper articles on this and have, like many, been intrigued and perplexed by it. I confess I also believed that Denis Tanner was guilty - based on what I had read. I have not lived in Australia for 8 years and was recently home for a visit and purchased the book which I have just finished.
Words now fail me as to how I have felt - shocked, disgusted, appalled, saddened and deeply disappointed in a Country, political system, legal system and Police service who I sincerely trusted and believed would "do the right thing". The bad guys were always caught and punished accordingly.
The Tanner family, and in particular Denis deserve the opportunity to prove their innocence and I am appalled that everyone has failed him in this regard.
Congratulations Ron on having the courage to write this book. It would seem you are of the "old school" (as I am) where you believe in right and wrong and thought that Governments and the Police were there to protect you. Please continue the fight - do not give up.
Regards
Jeanette
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 15, 2019
What has this family been put through? Not a comforting portrayal of Victoria's police
September 7, 2013
Having not read this book I was more than prepared to believe what was written about Denis even though at times I often wondered what the motive really was.
After reading this book I can only be appauled at how badly the investigation was handled and how so many could have got so much so wrong and the system just let it fly.
While sometimes a little dry it gave a detailed account of what did and didn't take place and all I can add at the end of the day is that the Tanner family didn't deserve anything that happened to them from Jenny's suicide and through the subsequent years.
This book opened my eyes and made me look more closely at the facts of the case ALL the facts, not those that made it to the media but all of them. This book could very well change your mind about the case and who was actually responsible.
After reading this book I can only be appauled at how badly the investigation was handled and how so many could have got so much so wrong and the system just let it fly.
While sometimes a little dry it gave a detailed account of what did and didn't take place and all I can add at the end of the day is that the Tanner family didn't deserve anything that happened to them from Jenny's suicide and through the subsequent years.
This book opened my eyes and made me look more closely at the facts of the case ALL the facts, not those that made it to the media but all of them. This book could very well change your mind about the case and who was actually responsible.
October 5, 2015
I don't know if he did it or not. Nothing I read in the book makes me believe he is guilty. What the media and the legal system put this family through, I have no words for. Did the coroner have his mind made up that Denis Tanner was guilty before listening to any evidence. I feel for the Tanner family.
February 27, 2016
Happy to give people the opportunity to clear their name and there were aspect of trial by media in the case , the book lost me on its unfair focus on Jennifer past life , what relevance does her four abortions have on her character?
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June 25, 2014Still not sure
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews