Police anger at guard's $100,000 TV deal
August 2, 2004 - 6:53AM
Karen Brown. Grab shows an interview that Channel seven's Today Tonight
conducted and to be shown on Monday night. SMH NEWS 040801. ***MUST CREDIT
CHANNEL SEVEN***
Ms Brown, from western Sydney's Rooty Hill, yesterday missed a 6pm (AEST) deadline to present to Liverpool police station for an interview over her shooting of William Aquilina last Monday.
In the days after the shooting, she refused to be interviewed by police, claiming to be too unwell, but she has granted two media interviews, one of which was understood to have netted her a six-figure payment.
Ms Brown allegedly shot and killed Aquilina moments after he attacked her with a knuckleduster and stole a bag of cash she was carrying out of the Moorebank Hotel.
Liverpool police Superintendent Terry Jacobsen yesterday said police tried to contact Ms Brown through her lawyers with phone calls and text messages throughout the day.
"We have given her that opportunity but she has elected to go to the media, and that's not appropriate," Supt Jacobsen said.
He said Ms Brown's non-attendance meant police would charge her with murder last night or this morning.
"We have sufficient evidence in my view of a prima facie case of murder," he said.
Commencing criminal proceedings could make the airing of Ms Brown's exclusive interview on Today Tonight in contempt of court.
"It will be sub judice and Today Tonight will publish any material at their peril," Supt Jacobsen warned.
A NSW police spokeswoman this morning said no court orders had yet been served or charges laid against the 42-year-old, but she would be charged in her her absence if she could not be located.
AAP