Decades later, murder case excites

MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2002

A new film and book update are reminding Australian's of their not so recent racist past.

Both tell the story of Rupert Max Stuart, an Aboriginal man accused of murdering a 9-year-old White girl in the 1950s. Stuart, who could barely read, confessed in a written statement that was later called into question, along with the handling of the case.

Public sentiment and news reporting also pressured Australia to act after Stuart was sentenced to death. He ended up serving 14 years.

Stuart is now a respected elder and tribal leader.

Get the Story:
Australia Revisits a 'Black and White' Murder Case (The New York Times 12/16)
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