The Case Of
ABC
The Case Of is your eyes and ears inside the courtroom for Australia's biggest trials, unpacking major trials recently heard in court and cases in the headlines. This podcast will explain how it all works and answer your questions along the way.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.
Our most recent season covers the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, who was killed when she went for a walk with her dog on one of north Queensland's idyllic beaches, in 2018. Seven years later, 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh fought the charge of her murder at a trial in Cairns.
Additional seasons of The Case Of include The Croc Wrangler, following the reality star and Northern Territory celebrity Matt Wright, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the investigation of a fatal helicopter crash.
The Romance Scam follows the trial and appeal of Perth woman Donna Nelson, who was charged with drug trafficking in Japan.
Snowtown Parole follows serial killer James Vlassakis's parole proceedings.
Easey St Murders follows the committal hearing for alleged killer Perry Kouroumblis, who police believe attacked Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Melbourne terrace house.
Kumanjayi Walker is a six-part series revisiting the murder trial and coronial inquest that followed the police shooting of a young Walpiri man in Yuendumu, in 2019.
The Mushroom Lunch continues to follow all proceedings related to Erin Patterson's triple murder conviction in July 2025.
The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
The response to Mushroom Case Daily was overwhelming, with more than 8,000 emails from listeners, many of them noting how the coverage had given them unprecedented insight into Australia's criminal judicial system. We decided to convert the podcast into an ongoing trial coverage feed to continue delivering on this front, following cases that capture the public's attention.
Our most recent season covers the murder of 24-year-old Toyah Cordingley, who was killed when she went for a walk with her dog on one of north Queensland's idyllic beaches, in 2018. Seven years later, 41-year-old Rajwinder Singh fought the charge of her murder at a trial in Cairns.
Additional seasons of The Case Of include The Croc Wrangler, following the reality star and Northern Territory celebrity Matt Wright, charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice related to the investigation of a fatal helicopter crash.
The Romance Scam follows the trial and appeal of Perth woman Donna Nelson, who was charged with drug trafficking in Japan.
Snowtown Parole follows serial killer James Vlassakis's parole proceedings.
Easey St Murders follows the committal hearing for alleged killer Perry Kouroumblis, who police believe attacked Suzanne Armstrong and Susan Bartlett in their Melbourne terrace house.
Kumanjayi Walker is a six-part series revisiting the murder trial and coronial inquest that followed the police shooting of a young Walpiri man in Yuendumu, in 2019.
The Mushroom Lunch continues to follow all proceedings related to Erin Patterson's triple murder conviction in July 2025.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jan 29, 2026 • 20min
Why Greg Lynn's murder conviction was thrown out
Greg Lynn has returned to court this week, a month after the dramatic revelation his murder conviction would be overturned and a retrial set.In June 2024, a jury found Greg Lynn guilty of murdering Carol Clay but not guilty of murdering her camping partner, Russell Hill.In this episode, reporter Sacha Payne unpacks the "substantial miscarriage of justice", that three judges decided warranted the quashing of Lynn's conviction and a retrial for Carol Clay's alleged murder.If you have any questions or suggestions for future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au with your thoughts.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 27, 2026 • 21min
Tom Silvagni's rape conviction and the limitations of privilege
Alexandra Alvaro, ABC reporter who covered the Tom Silvagni trial, gives on-the-record reporting and analysis. She walks through the night of the offences and the doctored evidence that mattered. She outlines the Silvani family's AFL privilege, suppression orders and the judge's scathing sentencing remarks. She also explains how the case unfolded online and the narrow grounds for appeal.
Jan 22, 2026 • 30min
Kumanjayi Walker: Six years on, what's changed?
Melissa McKay, an ABC reporter who delivered crucial on-the-ground coverage of the Kumanjayi Walker case, discusses significant changes in policing since the coroner's findings of racism in Walker's death. She highlights new anti-racism strategies from NT Police and the challenges of implementing cultural shifts amidst internal resistance. McKay also addresses the importance of community trauma, police training in remote areas, and the political hesitance to confront systemic racism. Tune in for deep insights into the ongoing journey toward justice and understanding.
Jan 20, 2026 • 33min
Kumanjayi Walker: An avoidable death
Kumanjayi Walker's death was avoidable – this was the Northern Territory Coroner's bombshell finding, delivered via livestream across Australia in July 2025.In this episode, Melissa Mackay explains how the Coroner, Elizabeth Armitage arrived at this finding, and talks through the key points in the Coroner's 680-page report, including the recommendations she's proposed to help prevent another unnecessary death in custody.For more on the Coroner's findings check out this article from Mel.You can also read the full report from the NT Coroner here. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised this episode discusses an Aboriginal person who has died.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 15, 2026 • 42min
Kumanjayi Walker: Diving deep into the cause of the shooting
Racist police awards, private text messages and Kumanjayi Walker's troubled upbringing: the NT Coroner went deep when investigating the cause of the Yuendumu shooting in 2019.In this episode Melissa Mackay retraces the evidence presented to the Coronial Inquiry into Kumanjayi Walker's death, with all the tense courtroom moments and alarming revelations.If you want to read more about the awards mentioned in this episode, check out this article by Mel.If you have any questions you'd like Mel and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised a deceased person's name is used in this episode.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 13, 2026 • 36min
Kumanjayi Walker: Police brutality or just doing the job?
Zachary Rolfe's trial revolved around a seconds-long shooting, which the jury saw direct evidence of via body-worn video footage. However, it was the intention behind those shots that was debated — and that Mr Rolfe eventually defended from the witness box.In this episode, Melissa Mackay explains how Zachary Rolfe described his actions and intentions under cross examination, before the jury found him not guilty.If you have any questions you'd like Mel and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised a deceased person's name is used in this episode.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 8, 2026 • 35min
Kumanjayi Walker: A cop tried for murder
Four days after shooting Kumanjayi Walker, Zachary Rolfe was charged with murder. Two years later he was in the Northern Territory Supreme Court arguing against that charge.In this episode, reporter Melissa Mackay describes the unusual series of events that surround this high-profile trial, and talks through the key arguments each side made to the court before the jury found Mr Rolfe not guilty.If you have any questions you'd like Melissa and Stocky to answer in the final episode of this series, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised a deceased person's name is used in this episode.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 6, 2026 • 27min
Kumanjayi Walker: The night of the shooting
Kumanjayi Walker and Constable Zachary Rolfe came from two different worlds within Australia. On November 9, 2019, those worlds collided in a fatal confrontation, in a small red house within the remote community of Yuendumu.In the first chapter of The Case of Kumanjayi Walker, reporter Melissa Mackay introduces the two people at the centre of this story, explains how they came face to face that night and how police and the community reacted after the three fatal shots were fired.If you have any questions you'd like Melissa and Stocky to answer in the final episode of this series, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Jan 1, 2026 • 3min
INTRODUCING: The Case of Kumanjayi Walker
Kumanjayi Walker was a young Walpiri-Luritja man, shot by a police officer in the remote community of Yuendumu in 2019. It was a confrontation that lasted seconds, but continues to reverberate today.His death caught the nation's attention, sparked a groundswell of activism, and ignited battles within politics and the police force.In The Case Of Kumanjayi Walker, Stephen Stockwell and reporter Melissa Mackay will retrace the murder trial and inquest that followed this death, and unpack the years-long impact.Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are advised a deceased person's name is used in this episode.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
Dec 30, 2025 • 41min
Behind the scenes on The Case Of
It's been a wild ride on The Case Of this year, and now we're revealing the highs and lows of making this podcast, in our end-of-year episode.In this episode, executive producer Clare Rawlinson joins Stephen Stockwell to get his unfiltered perspective on the journey so far, and to reveal the results of our recent listener survey (which received more than 2000 responses!).If you have any questions, you'd like Clare and Stocky to answer in future episodes, please email thecaseof@abc.net.au.The Case Of is the follow-up to the hit podcast Mushroom Case Daily, and all episodes of that show will remain available in the back catalogue of The Case Of.
