- Police have been forced to deny claims they did not properly investigate the parents of tot Chloe Murphy after her death.
Babysitter Ketapat Jenkins, 28, yesterday was ordered to stand trial charged with manslaughter over the death of the 10-month-old after a three-day committal hearing this week.
Police have alleged Chloe received a fractured skull and three breaks in her left arm after being violently shaken while the babysitter at her Kensington home in December 2010.
She died two days after being rushed to hospital by parents Anthony and Phurithee Murphy, who alleged they found her limp and unresponsive when they picked her up from Ms Jenkin’s home.
But Robert Richter, QC, yesterday questioned police practice after Chloe’s death, alleging a comprehensive investigation of the Murphys was not conducted.
Instead, he said, disproportionate focus was placed on his client, Ms Jenkins.
Mr Richter alleged experts had made assumptions that deliberate violence led to Chloe’s death regardless of any evidence.
He said listening devices had been placed in Ms Jenkin’s home and family car, but the Murphys had not been under the same scrutiny.
Informant Senior Detective Justin Tibbett denied the claims.
He said Chloe’s parents had formed an important part of the investigation.
But he confirmed listening devices were not placed in their home.
On Tuesday, during cross-examination by Mr Richter, Mrs Murphy denied ever harming her baby or being part of any accident that happened to her.
Mr Richter later launched an explosive attack on forensic paediatrician Dr Maryanne Lobo, who prepared a medical report for the court.
The court heard Ms Jenkins had always maintained her innocence and she had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter. She will appear at the Victorian Supreme Court for a directions hearing on December 12th – Shannon Deery
