‘Cloud’ lingers in DNA contest over notorious murder

A cloud hangs over the family of a murdered bank teller as a man serving life behind bars questions DNA evidence used in the infamous case.

Stephen Wayne “Shorty” Jamieson, 59, was convicted in 1990 and sentenced to life imprisonment for leading a gang of youths in the 1988 kidnapping, rape and murder of Janine Balding.

Jamieson, who has long claimed he was the victim of mistaken identity and was mistaken for another “Shorty”, is fighting for further DNA testing which he claims could clear his name and is taking the matter to the NSW Supreme Court.

Judge Ian Harrison, when the case was brought to court on Wednesday, said the further investigation must reach a conclusion on behalf of Ms Balding’s family, detectives investigating the bank teller’s murder and the community.

“No matter what, the solution to this problem is important,” the judge said.

“Once resurrected, a cloud hangs over these matters.”

Judge Harrison said the matter had to be dealt with in accordance with the law so that some certainty could prevail.

Jamieson watched silently via audio-visual link from Goulburn Prison as the judge spoke.

His barrister, Richard Wilson SC, said NSW Police had agreed to provide further information and carry out additional DNA testing.

This follows Judge Harrison’s ruling in February that police could be asked to test a specific area of ​​the bandanna used to gag Ms Balding.

Jamieson claims that this clothing could point to 63-year-old Mark “Shorty” Wayne Wells, who shares the same alias.

Mr Wells’ DNA profile was obtained by NSW Police from Queensland authorities.

The 63-year-old man denied any involvement in the rape or murder and was never charged with the crime.

Mr Wilson said DNA testing would be extended to other areas of the bandanna and other crime-related items.

Her defender stated that, given the age of the incident and the discovery of Ms Balding’s body in a puddle, the tests may not be conclusive.

The state government and police agreed that the issue should be resolved soon.

But the judge was told it was difficult to know exactly when the testing would be completed.

Ms Balding’s murder shocked the country because of the brutality that followed the bank teller’s abduction by a gang of homeless youths who repeatedly raped her at a Sydney train station.

The 20-year-old woman was bound, gagged and thrown over a fence before being held underwater in a dam until she drowned.

The matter will be brought to court again on December 17.