A 36-year-old cold case is nearing its long-overdue conclusion after a jury returned a guilty verdict for murder at a well-known gay beat in Sydney’s east.
A NSW Supreme Court jury returned its guilty verdict on Wednesday after hearing that Early had attacked the 43-year-old martial arts expert in Randwick’s Alison Park suspecting he was homosexual.
A post-mortem examination revealed he died from severe head injuries and a 1988 inquest found Keam died after being struck by a person or persons unknown.
Alison Park had a reputation for being a gay beat, crown prosecutor Ken McKay SC told the jury as the trial began.
The verdict comes despite a wholly circumstantial case being brought against Early with no witnesses seeing he had any contact with Keam.
In June 2021 a $1 million reward was offered for information about the murder.
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Early was arrested at a home in Clayton, Victoria two months later and was extradited to NSW where he remained for the trial.
Keam’s hitherto unsolved death was one of 88 killings between 1976 and 2000 recently reviewed by police probing potential gay-hate violence and allegations of prior inaction.
He identified as heterosexual, was divorced from one woman and in a de facto relationship with another, having a child with each.
Counselling and referral services for LGBTIQ+ individuals are available through QLife on 1800 184 527 or online.
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