Every Parent's Nightmare: The case of Jock Palfreeman Paperback – 27 Feb. 2013

The book is great in the sense that it represents in the most objective way the facts and events that surround the case of Jock Palfreeman. This case should be studied at high schools and studies of law. It sheds light to an inadequately functioning judicial system, at the same time raising moral questions such as "should we help when we see a person in need of defence, even when that means putting ourselves in danger?"What I was stunned about is, how very little (to none) support Jock received from his friends, who were with him on that fatal night! The same people who convinced him to go and party, are almost immediately after the incident "out of the picture". The only witness to the melee on his behalf, catches her flight to UK the next morning, failing to explain what happened to possibly the only friend who could have supported Jock immediately!? BIG big mistake. I have to read this book in bits as the circumstances it describes are quite overwhelming. But I would say a definite MUST read for anyone with interest in social justice! And really it just comes to say so many things on different levels!

Not read all of it yet,but so far so good.

In 2008, ABC TV's Australian Story senior journalist Belinda Hawkins fielded a phone call about a young man being held in a Bulgarian prison. Jock Palfreeman, an Australian national and British Army recruit, had been accused of murder after a brawl in the country's capital and was facing a life sentence. The story caught Hawkins interest and this book, Every Parent's Nightmare, is the result of a comprehensive five year investigation.With access to police reports, legal documents, CCTV footage and witnesses, Hawkins pieces together the most likely sequence of events on the night of December 27th, 2007 after Jock Palfreeman's decision to defend a Gypsy being harassed by a drunken group of privileged young Bulgarians. She then goes on to expose the flawed investigation and corrupt procedures that led to Jock's conviction for the murder of Andrei Monov.Cooperation from Jock and his father, Dr Simon Freeman, ensures that the personal costs of this harrowing case are not forgotten. It is every parents nightmare to wave your child off on an overseas adventure only to be faced with a horrific situation such as this. As Jock languishes in a crumbling soviet jail, his father and family continue to fight for his health, safety and freedom.Whether Jock Palfreeman is actually responsible for inflicting the wound that killed Andrei Monov remains a mystery, Jock claims to not remember and the 'witness' accounts are proved here to be completely unreliable. What is evident from Hawkins detailed and exhaustive study of this case, and is independently verified by experts, is that this young Australian did not receive a fair trial.Jock remains in a Bulgarian prison serving a twenty year sentence despite the reciprocal extradition agreement between our countries. Bulgaria is demanding a financial contribution from the Palfreeman family in order to agree to Jock serving his remaining sentence in Australia while Monov's grieving, well connected parents continue to exert influence on decisions about his case.Every Parent's Nightmare is a well crafted and meticulously researched account of a tragedy that left one young man dead and another jailed for life. Confronting, moving and utterly gripping, this is a true life story that deserves public notice.Updates on Jock Freeman's case can be found at EveryParentsNightmare.com while you can pledge your support at FreeJock.com

Jock Palfreeman is a young man serving a 20 year sentence in a prison in Sofia, Bulgaria. He was convicted of murder with hooligan intent, and attempted murder, but as Hawkins discovers the case is anything but clear. Amidst shoddy police work, missing evidence, unreliable witnesses, and immense prejudice, it becomes seemingly obvious that there is serious probable doubt. This book had me scrunching my fists in frustration with the unfairness of Jock's situation.Hawkins balances the court documents with the history of Bulgaria and how it relates to the judiciary, as well as explaining the media surrounding Jock's case. Intimate interviews with Jock's family help remind us that its not just his story, its not just his nightmare.

This book was well written and exposed the differences in the legal processes between countries. It also details how certain evidence and witness accounts were ignored or overlooked due to the fact the accused was a foreigner and the deceased family had some powerful contacts. It showed how the prosecutors experts were embroiled in scandals of their own and were maybe not reliable. I was horrified that the deceased friends could change their accounts of the night every time they were questioned and nothing be done about it or their credibility be questioned - clearly they were covering their own backs to avoid being charged themselves. And that's Jock's friends account was twisted to suit the prosecutions case. It certainly highlights the Australian way of trying to help those in trouble as Jock was doing and although he killed someone, he didn't deserve the severity of the sentence he received. I would have to question what the deceased involvement was in this scuffle with Jock and whether he was one of the ringleaders in the attack on the gypsies and whether their intent was to teach Jock a lesson for going to their aide.

Very repetitious in a lot of areas and this could have been handled differently. A very journalistic presentation, but a good insight into the law in a foreign country

a really good read and well written book...you just wish that he had done what 99:9% of us would have done in the same situation...run to the hills...unfortunately Jocks mindset is different and for this he is going to spend 20 years in a rathole due to the corrupt nature of the Bulgarian judicial system...did he stab the boy?..probably...does he deserve his sentence?...no...you got to feel sorry for him..

This is such a sad and frustrating true story of a guy who was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. A guy who, no matter what, will fight any injustice bestowed on another human and because of this he now sits in a Bulgarian jail. I cannot believe the amount of corruption involved in this case! Thank God I live in Australia! Thank you for writing this Belinda! Fabulous work!