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Uncertainty surrounds
the next step in the legal process for the five former Christchurch Civic
Childcare Centre workers who were on Thursday committed to trial on indecency
charges Although the High Court
will attempt to set a timetable for the trial on Friday next week, several
applications may need to be settled before firm dates can be set. One option available to
counsel for the accused is to apply to the High Court for discharges under
section 347 of the Crimes Act. Under the section a judge may use his
discretion to discharge the accused after a perusal of evidence adduced at
the lower court hearing and consideration of other evidence. Defence counsel may
also attack the admissibility of the videotaped interviews with the 20
complainants in the case on the ground the children were not properly taken through
promises to tell the truth. Heraings on these
issues could take weeks as the judge reviews the large quantity of evidence
already produced. |
