Was all Bullion

By the Editorial Team · Saturday, September 5, 2026

Maclean John Fittler faced court over the 2022 theft of three silver bars, but doubts were raised about the reliability of DNA evidence and witness testimony linking him to the crime. The judge emphasized the need for further forensic analysis and questioned the credibility of key statements, indicating that the case lacks sufficient conclusive proof for a definitive ruling.

A court hearing addressing the theft of three silver bars in 2022 raised significant questions about the reliability of the evidence linking suspect Maclean John Fittler to the crime. During proceedings, Judge Swan expressed reservations regarding the validity of DNA evidence presented by the prosecution.

The court was told that further scientific analysis was necessary to determine the manner and timing of the DNA transfer connected to Fittler. However, this additional testing was never conducted. Judge Swan noted that the absence of conclusive forensic investigation "causes me some concerns in respect of the reliability of the DNA evidence" connecting Fittler to the case.

Complicating the prosecution’s case, a female neighbor of Fittler initially provided a statement that he had brought the stolen silver bars to her home. Yet, the court ruled her testimony unreliable after she gave inconsistent accounts and failed to attend the trial for questioning. Judge Swan described her statement as lacking credibility and stated he had "serious concerns as to the authenticity and truthfulness" of her claims.

In the wake of the theft, police issued a public appeal in 2022 seeking assistance from the community. Subsequently, Fittler was recorded in a covert conversation telling an associate to "Stop. Just stop talking, please," following the associate’s mention of a social media post related to the heist. Despite prosecution arguments suggesting this was an implicit admission, Judge Swan rejected the interpretation, observing that residents of small towns habitually discuss local events circulating on social media without such remarks indicating guilt.

The case highlights ongoing challenges in establishing clear and credible evidence in theft investigations, particularly when witness statements and forensic findings are contested or incomplete. Legal experts suggest that without more definitive proof, courts must approach such evidence with caution to ensure that verdicts rest on solid foundations rather than circumstantial or ambiguous material.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.