Public Faith in Caughts is Against Evidence
NZ Herald Rodney Hide: Note to Collins: We want to see justice being done
By Rodney Hide
5:30 AM Sunday Dec 23, 2012
Imagine the scene at police HQ and Crown Law: Justice Binnie has done the unthinkable; he’s written an independent report. Worse, he’s damned Crown Law and Police to hell.
The Government response has been masterful … but hardly justice.
Step one: Sit on report. This must not get out until we are good and ready. Step two: Commission a critical review. From one of our guys. Keep this secret. The review will provide the necessary smoke when Binnie’s report finally is released. Step three: Get Judith “Crusher” Collins to rip into Binnie ahead of his report’s release. That will put half the population on side. It’s their party in power. Plus, the Minister’s condemnation, rather than the report, will become the story.
Step four: Commission a new, independent report. One that will provide more agreeable conclusions.
That hardball from our justice system has worked for 18 years.
I am among the many who had always thought David Bain guilty. I took media reports at the time as true. And I thought a grown man with a paper run – and wearing that woolly jumper – the type more than capable of murdering his entire family.
I was innocent back then, too. I hadn’t seen up close how the New Zealand police hierarchy behaves when backed into a tight corner. And I hadn’t seen Crown Law stick to their guns arguing against all reason and clear facts. I didn’t know then how the police play the media and how the public respect for the justice system is abused by those charged to uphold it.
……
I then read Binnie. It’s hard having a deeply held prejudice overturned. But I was entranced. It is beautifully written and clearly presented. But, more especially, here is the product of a fine mind critically cutting to the chase. Justice Binnie obviously has done the hard work. He’s considered the many issues. He’s weighed them, presented his conclusions with his reasoning and the evidence. He’s done the job asked of him.
If anything, he was scrupulously polite about the New Zealand police and justice system. Wherever possible he gave them the benefit of the doubt and never questioned their motivation.
But police evidence presented at the first trial was false and misleading. That’s why the Privy Council declared Bain’s trial a “substantial miscarriage of justice” and ordered a retrial.
Justice Binnie – and the Privy Council – raise a disturbing question about whether our justice system has the ability to self-correct. The Government’s response, sadly for us, provides the answer, loud and clear.
the whole system is bent and corrupt..they can all go fuck themselves with the rough end of a pineapple
Comment by Ford — Sun 23rd December 2012 @ 7:10 pm
ive posted links from this website onto campbell live facebook page..ive posted links from google and youtube about bent cops and cops out of control…ive questiones peoples comments and commented myself..guess what..im now blocked from commenting on campbell lives facebook page
Comment by Ford — Sun 23rd December 2012 @ 7:14 pm
Dear Ford, thank you very much for your energy. You are setting many apathetic parents an excellent and important example. I hope many will follow your example. Sometimes it is better to be more restrained, so that your comments can survive longer. Profit media are weak in the investigative and Government challenging areas. I seem to remember Helen Clark calling John Campbell a creep, after being interviewed by him. So he can’t be all bad? Cheers, Murray.
Comment by MurrayBacon — Sun 23rd December 2012 @ 7:21 pm
i watched campbell lives last 29012 tv news show and they showed the ppl behind the scenes..the ppl in control of the shoe are female…just a thought
Comment by Ford — Sun 23rd December 2012 @ 7:35 pm
You could be forgiven for thinking Collins was a Family Court lawyer rather than a tax lawyer the way she is behaving. The Justice Ministry doesn’t sit in judgement on the justice system and the political process. Justice is not dispensed by dictatorship; it is operated by inclusion, acceptance and fulfilment of responsibility, and a continuing reflection of our own behaviour and each other’s behaviour. If there is fault, then by due process it should be found, and that said if Collins is still Justice Minister in the New Year one would have to question Mr Key’s ability to manage his cabinet or is he just paving the way for her to run it in the same manner.
Comment by Down Under — Mon 24th December 2012 @ 7:41 am
4. most of the people with decision making positions in TV are female.
Comment by Scott B — Mon 24th December 2012 @ 8:58 am
#7..now we all know why DV against men dosent reach the news..
Comment by Ford — Mon 24th December 2012 @ 4:42 pm
merry xmas to all..keep safe and have a good xmas day and dont let some bitch ruin it for you
Comment by Ford — Mon 24th December 2012 @ 4:46 pm