Shortcut: The Controversial "Mr. Big" Police Technique

Nov 13, 2024

15:57

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This is a "Shortcut" episode. It’s a shortened version of this week’s more detailed full episode, which is also available on our feed.

On December 14, 2008, 37-year-old Mary Cook was found murdered in a burned down house on Darling Way, Narre Warren.

Victoria Police launched a months-long covert operation, gaining a confession from 35-year-old Glenn Weaven using the controversial "Mr Big" technique.

Weaven was convicted of Mary’s murder and sentenced to 20 years in prison, with a 16-year non-parole period. But the use of the Mr Big method has sparked intense scrutiny.

Our guest today on Australian True Crime, Professor Michele Ruyters, is here to explain what the Mr Big technique is, and how she believes it may have coerced a confession from Glenn Weaven, thus resulting in his wrongful conviction.

Today's conversation is also conducted by our guest host and resident criminologist, Dr. Xanthé Mallett.

Michele Ruyters is the director of the Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative at RMIT University.

Click here to visit and report information regarding this case to The Bridge of Hope Innocence Initiative.

Season 6 of the ABC's podcast "Unravel" is available wherever you get your podcasts.

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For Support:

Lifeline on 13 11 14

13 YARN on 13 92 76 (24/7 crisis support phone line for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples)

1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732

CREDITS:

Host: Meshel Laurie. You can find her on Instagram