12 Facts About Leith Ratten

Leith McDonald Ratten was a convicted murderer from Echuca, Australia whose case ignited controversy and national interest in the 1970s.

Subsequent investigations revealed that Leith Ratten was having an affair with Jennifer Kemp, the wife of a family friend, and had spoken to her on the morning of the shooting.

Leith Ratten had applied for a twelve-month posting to a base in Antarctica.

Leith Ratten was committed to trial for murder and the hearing took place in August, 1970 in the nearby town of Shepparton, Victoria.

Leith Ratten's case was widely discussed among the legal fraternity while his cause was taken up by many notable lawyers and politicians, such as Don Chipp.

In 1978, the Free Leith Ratten Committee was founded by Monash University law undergraduate, Mark Cowie.

Leith Ratten authored an unpublished manuscript on the case, Justice in Shame: The Leith Ratten Case.

In 1981 when Leith Ratten had yet to be released, Chipp said Winneke denied the conversation had taken place.

Later, a member of the Supreme Court at the time of Leith Ratten's trial, told Tom Molomby Winneke had wanted to remove the jury from the trial.

Leith Ratten served his sentence, was a model prisoner and was released in 1983.

In 1981, two years prior to his release, Leith Ratten was advised he would likely be released and was given time on regular day-release opportunities to find a job, which he did.

Leith Ratten's family had been advised that he would be released early if there was no fuss.