Woodward Royal Commission
The disappearance of Mackay prompted a royal commission into the Griffith drug trade, known as the Woodward Royal Commission after its sole Commissioner, the Honorable Philip Morgan Woodward.
After several months, the Commission reduced the suspect list to six people including:
- Robert Trimbole
- James Frederick Bazley
- George Joseph
- Gianfranco Tizzone
- and two known associates of Trimbole.
Justice Woodward says in the official transcript, "I have named Trimbole as being associated with the production of marijuana in Griffith as well as being the director of an operation in Euston. He is, if not the 'top man' in relation to the production of marijuana in the Griffith area, then one of them and closely associated with Antonio Sergi in the same enterprise."
Woodward found regarding the disappearance of Mackay that "the disposal of Mackay was the result of an organised plan. He was disposed of by the organisation which I find existed in Griffith. I am satisfied that the appointment to meet Mackay at Jerilderie was part of a plan to ambush and dispose of him." A year later the New South Wales Supreme Court officially declared Donald Mackay as "presumed deceased".
No further action was taken. Trimbole and his associates were free to return to business as usual.
Read more about this topic: Robert Trimbole
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