Domenic Perre has been rushed to hospital after being found guilty of murder in the 1994 attack on the National Crime Authority in Adelaide that killed a police detective.
Perre sent the bomb package to the NCA and the blast killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen and injured attorney Peter Wallis.
Today, 28 years after the deadly explosion, there has been a collective outcry in the courtroom, as Perre was found guilty of both murder and attempted murder by a judge.
Twenty-eight years after the bombing of the Adelaide National Crime Authority office, Domenic Perre has been found guilty. (9News) NCA attack Domenic Perre collapsed moments after he was found guilty of murder and attempted murder. (9 News)
However, moments after the sentence, Perre collapsed and had to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.
Perre has always been the main suspect in the case, and police have argued that the attack was a revenge as he had a burning hatred towards the authorities.
His anger was concentrated on Bowen, who had arrested him six months earlier for a $ 20 million cannabis harvest.
The judge said in his extensive reasons while dictating the verdict that Perre had conducted a detailed investigation that included the practice of bombs.
Witnesses said the attacker had a desire to eliminate as many police officers as possible, which the judge agreed to.
Partial DNA was found in the bomb that killed Detective Sergeant Geoffrey Bowen. (SA Police) The blast seriously injured lawyer Peter Wallis. (SA Police)
Relatives of the victims of the attack cried in court while the verdict was read.
Jane Bowen, Geoffrey Bowen’s wife, turned and hugged the detectives.
“This crime was and continues to be unprecedented in its violence against law enforcement in Australia,” Bowen’s brother-in-law David Gorton said today.
The mail wallet used to deliver the pump. (SA Police)
South Australian police commissioner Grant Stevens said after the verdict: “Today we have a result that vindicates the relentless efforts of the police.”
“Today, finally, Domenic Perre has been held responsible for the terrible crimes he committed,” Detective Superintendent Detective Des Bray added.
Perre is already behind bars for drug offenses.
He will return to court in September to present the sentences.
Perre’s son, Anthony, said he was “obviously disappointed” by the verdict.
“We will wait for the lawyer to consider the sentence,” he said.
“Then we expect the appeals process to take its place.”
Perre’s legal team has 28 days to file an appeal.