Coroner in Lisa Govan inquest says bikie 'code of silence' impacting witness testimony

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A coronial inquest into the disappearance of a Kalgoorlie woman 25 years ago has heard from a former bikie gang associate. He was one of the last people seen with Lisa Govan, but he couldn't remember many details.

Transcript

00:00Coroner Michael Jenkin is trying to get to the bottom of what happened to Lisa Govan

00:0625 years ago, but the inquest has heard a bikey code of silence is making it difficult.

00:13Former Club Dero's associate and wannabe member Trevor Atkinson was one of two people

00:18last seen with Ms Govan on the morning of October 8, 1999 at the gang's clubhouse.

00:24She was spotted earlier inside Kalgoorlie's Safari nightclub and later in a laneway speaking

00:30with Mr Atkinson and gang member Andrew Edhouse.

00:34On Monday, an employee of former gang associate Kevin Smith said his boss told him he saw

00:39Mr Edhouse run and stomp on Ms Govan's head inside the clubhouse with Mr Atkinson nearby.

00:46Today, Mr Atkinson testified he'd never heard that theory before Monday, but he was reminded

00:52by WA Police Counsel Gemma Mullins it was put to him several times in previous interviews.

00:58Do you agree though that it's the type of story that would stick in your mind because

01:02it's quite graphic?

01:04Mr Atkinson told the court, I just forgot.

01:07Ms Mullins later added, I'm suggesting that you are being untruthful in this court.

01:12He was then repeatedly asked if he and Mr Edhouse had ever discussed Ms Govan's disappearance,

01:18to which Mr Atkinson said no.

01:21Several people sitting in court, including Ms Govan's family, laughed out loud at Mr

01:26Atkinson's response.

01:27As the coroner told him, it was hard to believe that in 25 years, Ms Govan's disappearance

01:33and suspected death had never come up.

01:37Associate Kevin Smith then gave evidence denying that he ever saw Mr Edhouse stomp on Ms Govan

01:42or that he was told she was dead.

01:45Earlier in the day, witness Cicely Richards, who was also at the clubhouse that morning,

01:50told the inquest she was surprised to see Ms Govan there as she believed her partner

01:54was associated with rival gang the Gypsy Jokers.

01:58The inquest continues.

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