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Last
updated February 12 2007
1997-1230 - Daily News -
Commissioner welcomes continuing scrutiny of police
NZPA - Increased scrutiny of the police is welcome, but has not uncovered
gross negligence, says Police Commissioner Peter Doone.
1997-1229 - Evening
Post - Commissioner welcomes scrutiny of NZ police
by Neil Reid - Increased scrutiny of New Zealand Police is welcome - however, it has
not uncovered gross negligence, says Police Commissioner Peter Doone.
Questions have been asked during 1997 about police handling of several high
profile cases - including the Bain homicide and Peter Ellis' conviction for
child abuse. The scrutiny has led to an independent review by the Police
Complaints Authority and New Zealand Police into the initial police Bain
investigation and also a review of the conduct of a detective involved in the
Ellis case
1997-1226 - Daily News - The year
when high fliers felt heat of the law
by
Shani Naylor, NZPA - The campaign to free Ellis, the Christchurch childcare
worker convicted of sexually abusing children at the Civic Crèche, gathered
pace in November when a 20/20 television programme raised doubts. In
November, police commissioner Peter Doone agreed to hold an investigation
into the police handling of the case. Barrister Judith Ablett-Kerr QC has
petitioned Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys for a free pardon for
Ellis and called for a full inquiry into his conviction.
1997-1223 - Otago
Daily Times - The second trial in media
by Paul Fitzharris, Commander, Southern Region, New Zealand Police
Like it or loathe it, these days people convicted of crimes, such as David
Bain, Peter Ellis, and Rex Haig can expect two trials - one in the court and
the other, later, in the media.
1997-1221
- Manawatu Standard - Inquiry should be Independent
Editorial -
Labour MP Phil Goff, his party's justice spokesman,
says he has "long had an unease" about the case based on a number
of things including accusations, made by the children, that were not
presented to the jury because they were "so bizarre and incredible that
they would have damaged the credibility of the entire case".
1997-1221 - Sunday Star
Times - Who to believe?
by
Nan Millard - Keran Mills (December 7) criticises Frank Haden for his article
about the Ellis case and begs him to believe the children. She does not make
clear, however, exactly what he should believe.
1997-1218
- Letter to Peter Ellis from Graeme Leather
Personal letter from publisher of “A Mother’s Story” - I regret that distance
prevents me offering too much comfort, however, if it helps, my thoughts are
with you. If it is possible to have a
happy festive season in your present circumstances, then I trust that you do.
And here's hoping 1998 brings a pardon so that you can begin rebuilding your
life. The pressure for justice in your case is growing and I am sure it will
eventually prevail
1997-1207 -
Sunday News - Ellis case was a waste of so much
by
E Williams - The only new-old allegations against Peter Ellis to warrant yet
another "hysterical bandwagon" against him will be proof he really
was "the Devil incarnate." So Dr Read (Sunday News Nov 30) need not
leap on that particular bandwagon.
1997-1203 - Waikato Times
- Possible errors
by
Frank MacSkasy - I am pleased that NZ First MPs, collectively, have taken an
interest in the case of Peter Ellis, pictured, convicted for child-abuse
crimes in Christchurch.
1997-1203 -
The Press - Three-month wait for Ellis on pardon
NZPA
- Convicted child molester Peter Ellis will have to wait up to three months
to hear if he will be pardoned, lawyer Peter Williams said
1997-1202 - Evening
Post - One-sided journalism
by
Dr John Read - If new allegations of further child abuse by Peter Ellis are
true, and research shows that the vast majority of allegations are true, then
those journalists and politicians who jumped on the hysterical bandwagon
created by 20/20's "documentary" need to do some serious thinking.
1997-1202 - Evening
Post - Ellis pardon bid has long way to go - QC
by Neil Reid - Convicted child molester Peter Ellis will have to wait up to
three months to hear if he will be pardoned, says leading QC Peter Williams.
1997-1202 -
Dominion - Hundreds falsely accused, says group
by Annie Gray - Casualties of Sexual Allegations Inc, or Cosa, is seeking the
inquiry. Cosa president Felicity Goodyear-Smith says that while the Peter
Ellis case in Christchurch has attracted a great deal of media attention,
there are many innocent people who have been falsely accused in less
sensational abuse cases.
1997-1202 -
Dominion - Petition asks for pardoning of Ellis
by Alan Samson - A petition for the pardon of childcare worker Peter Ellis,
convicted of child abuse, was delivered to Governor-General Sir Michael
Hardie Boys yesterday. Delivered by two barristers on behalf of Ellis's
counsel, Judith Ablett-Kerr, it was later couriered to Justice Minister Doug
Graham.
1997-1202 - The Press -Ellis
petition sent to Crown
NZPA
- A petition seeking a pardon for former childcare worker Peter Ellis was
delivered to Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys yesterday. Ellis was
found guilty of sexually abusing children at the Christchurch Childcare
Centre between 1986 and 1992. He has served four years of a 10-year jail
sentence. A recent TV3 report highlighted possible irregularities in the
Ellis case. The petition, delivered by two barristers on behalf of Ellis's
counsel, Judith Ablett-Kerr, was later couriered to Justice Minister Doug
Graham.
1997-1201 - Evening Post - The
real fear of the 90s man with children
by
Warwick Roger - The older I get the more I find myself agreeing with my old
editor, Frank Haden, now the Sunday Star-Times' most cantankerous columnist.
Recently, after the 20/20 programme on the Peter Ellis case, Frank wrote of
how the climate of fear surrounding the alleged sexual abuse of children
meant that many men were shrinking from having much intimate to do with
children for fear of being accused of foul crimes. As an example, Frank wrote
that he would never again change his grandchildren's nappies.
1997-1201 - Evening Post
- Ellis appeal petition
A
petition to appeal against the conviction of Peter Ellis was to be presented
to Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys today, a spokeswoman for Ellis's
lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr, said
1997-1201 - Dominion - Ellis case
by
John Read - I can think of no better example of that tendency to ignore our
children when they are brave enough to tell of their abuse than the response
of 20-20 to the new allegations. It simply repeated its story and pretended
nothing had happened! Do they think, like so many of us, that if we ignore
child abuse it will go away?
1997-12 - Book - A Mothers Story
by Joy Bander (pseudonym), The Civic Crèche Child Sex Trial
1997-12
- Cosa - Peter Ellis and the Christchurch Crèche case
Editorial by Felicity Goodyear-Smith - This is certainly the hot
story for this month. Last year North
& South magazine …. published an excellent exposé ……... On 16
November, TV3's 20/20, screened Melanie Reid’s Special Report on the
Christchurch Civic Crèche fiasco
1997-1130
- Sunday News - Television ratings shouldn't come first
by
John Read - If the new allegations of further child abuse by Peter Ellis are
true and research shows the majority of allegations are true, then those
journalists and politicians who jumped on the hysterical bandwagon created by
20/20's "documentary" need to do some serious thinking
1997-1129 -
Otago Daily Times - Ellis petition on Monday
A
petition to appeal against the conviction of Peter Ellis would be presented
to Governor-General Sir Michael Hardie Boys on Monday
1997-1128 - Evening Post -
Ellis petition
A
petition to appeal the conviction of Peter Ellis will be presented to the
Governor-General on Monday
1997-1127 - Waikato Times
- Shocked at photo
by
Norman Thorburn - This constitutes yet another case of trial by media not
unlike the Peter Ellis case where the media played a significant role in
whipping up public hysteria, possibly contributing to his eventual
imprisonment
1997-1127
- Waikato Times - Ellis, Dougherty and the justice system
Editorial - Peter Ellis and David Dougherty are two very
different men with two very different experiences of New Zealand justice.
Both, however, represent what happens when the courts and police get it
wrong. Ellis is the former Christchurch Civic Crèche worker who is four years
into a 10-year prison sentence for child abuse. He is still in jail despite
questions being raised about the investigation and trial which resulted in
his conviction
1997-1127 -
Evening Post - ACC eyes compo paid in Ellis case
by
Georgina Bailey - ACC will monitor the Peter Ellis-Christchurch Civic
Childcare Centre case and seek to recover money paid to victims if any
inquiry reveals they changed their stories. An ACC spokesman said it was too
early to say if they would try to recover compensation. "We will be
watching any developments in relation to that."
1997-1127 -
Usenet - Lynda Morgan Specialist Interviewer
David McLoughlin details books by Morgan, her history, questions bias.
1997-1126 - The Press - Pity
the abuses and those abused New Feb 2007
by John Goulter - The Ellis investigation and trial assumed a
hysterical momentum that abandoned the usual standards of plausibility or
reasonable doubt. New-age superstition, not justice, became the guiding
principle. Pity Peter Ellis. At the very least, there should be a commission
of inquiry, a cool reappraisal of the case. It would surely lead to a pardon.
1997-1126
- Evening Post - No action on Ellis until appeal lodged
Justice
Minister Doug Graham will not investigate irregularities in the Peter Ellis
child abuse case before an appeal is lodged with the Governor-General.
......."The Minister will not be doing anything until that legal option
runs its course."
1997-1124 -
Evening Post - Group lays Ellis doco complaint
NZPA
- The TV3 documentary that raised new doubts about the conviction of
Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis has prompted a complaint to the
Broadcasting Standards Authority. .....An Auckland child advocacy group,
Children's Agenda, said it was preparing a complaint to the BSA about the
programme. Chairwoman Robin Fancourt said her organisation was concerned
about hysteria caused by the programme.
1997-1124
- Evening Post - Echoes of Salem witch trials in Ellis case
by Warwick Roger - ......wave of hysteria sweeps over
Christchurch, a city of some 300,000 souls standing on the edge of New
Zealand's Canterbury Plains. For years there have been stories in the newspapers
and in the electronic media asserting that one in four New Zealand girls will
be sexually abused before they are 18. Stories, always unsubstantiated, about
ritual abuse, pornography rings and satanic cults also appear........
1997-1124
- Evening Post - Bain one of many wrongly in jail - Karam
by
Neil Reid - "The reason why we have Peter Ellis' and David Bain's
(cases) is that there is a significant flaw in the system at the fundamental
stage, which is the investigation stage." Mr Karam said he believed some
senior police were arresting people prematurely before they had identified a
motive. "(They) charge in like bulls at a gate and finish up arresting
people with no bloody motive . . . then they wonder why these cases come back
to haunt them.
1997-1124 -
Dominion - Fresh Ellis allegations rejected
by
Bernadette Courtney - Supporters of crèche worker Peter Ellis, who is serving
a 10-year sentence for sex abuse, have dismissed fresh allegations that he
abused two children. A woman, who was in a two-year relationship with Ellis
in the late 1980s, claims that her two children were sexually and physically
abused by Ellis
1997-1124 - Southland Times
- Ellis case
Possibly
because of a widely-felt deep unease, the conviction of Christchurch crèche
worker Peter Ellis on charges of sexual abuse of children refuses to go away
1997-1123 -
Sunday News - Judiciary should hang their heads
by
George Balani - Peter Ellis should be freed from prison now. I have written screeds
about this case during the past five years. I have debated it on talkback
radio. I have argued the legal implications with lawyers all over the
country. Police, legal professionals and the judiciary should hang their
heads in shame at the handling of this case.
1997-1123
- Sunday Star Times - Ellis target of new claims of sex abuse
by
Barry Clarke - Fresh allegations of sex abuse have been made against
convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, just days before a bid will be made to have
him freed from his 10-year jail sentence. The police will decide this week
whether they will pursue the new allegations made last Thursday by a woman
who says her two children were sexually and physically abused during a
two-year relationship she had with Ellis in the late 1980s
1997-1123 -
Sunday Star Times - "Full inquiry essential in Ellis case."
by Frank Haden - Astonishing isn't it,
the way people have turned around? They wouldn't listen through all the years
after Peter Ellis went to jail for crimes he didn't commit, in fact were
never committed by anyone. Now they're
climbing on the bandwagon, saying they knew all along it was a faulty
investigation, a faulty trial, and there should be an inquiry.
Peter Ellis must be pardoned, and compensated on a scale comparable with the
money paid to another man railroaded into jail on wrongful convictions,
Arthur Allan Thomas. But there must be
a full judicial inquiry into how it happened, how the community accepted
wrongheaded behaviour by parents, social workers, psychologists, jurors,
trial judge Justice Williamson and the judges of the Court of Appeal
1997-1123 - Sunday News -
Newsmaker
The Christchurch Civic Crèche case just wont go away. And Peter Ellis may yet
get out of jail before serving his full time for abusing children at the
crèche. Revelations this week an
investigating officer, Colin Eade, propositioned one of the complainant
mothers, had affairs with two others and had psychiatric problems were not
the end of the probe. It was also
revealed the crown prosecutor knew the jury foreman. These revealtions do
nothing to garner faith in our justice system
1997-1122 - Herald -
"Parallels seen between Ellis case and abuse frenzy in US"
by John Goulter - In Christchurch, the case has lost none of its emotional
grip. The children concerned are now approaching their teens, but few of the
parents have let go of the trauma. To
them, the case remains one of the city's most infamous, and they say that
more is yet to be exposed. To others, it is infamous for altogether different
reasons - an episode when anxious parents, ideologically driven social
workers, zealous police and a gullible public conspired to create one of New
Zealand's worst miscarriages of justice
1997-1122 - Usenet - Eade
and Complainant
by David McLoughlin. Far from setting out to set Eade up, the woman
concerned was the organiser of the parents' support group
1997-1122 -
Dominion - In denial over faux disclosures
by
Frank Haden - A couple of words getting some air time, as they say, with the
announcement of an inquiry into the Peter Ellis case, are disclosure and
denial. As used by social workers investigating allegations of child sex
abuse, these loaded words have remarkable effect
1997-1121 - Timaru
Herald - Police inquiry welcome
The
police are right to conduct an inquiry into their investigation of Peter
Ellis, the Christchurch crèche worker who is four years into a 10-year
sentence for child molestation. Last Sunday's 20/20 television programme
exposed some disturbing conduct by Detective Colin Eade
1997-1121
- Evening Standard - Inquiry should be independent
Editorial - The issue of whether justice was done in the
Christchurch Civic Crèche child-abuse case has been debated since day one --
and will not go away easily. The fact that police are now to investigate
themselves aspects of their own handling of the case, including allegations
concerning the detective heading the inquiry, is scarcely likely to reassure
those who are convinced crèche worker Peter Ellis was innocent of the
charges, did not get a fair trial, and has already been wrongly imprisoned
for four years
1997-1121 -
Nelson Mail - Allegations of sexual abuse not always based on the facts
by
Stanley E Rea - The guilt of Peter Ellis, said to have been a child abuser,
is being questioned. Children and adults who have been coached or treated by
experienced psychoanalysts and psychotherapists can end up believing events
occurred in their lives that never happened
1997-1121 -
Evening Post - Doubts over Ellis won't go away
Editorial - The mounting wave of public concern over the
conviction and imprisonment of alleged Christchurch crèche child abuser Peter
Ellis is one which the Government can no longer ignore. Last Sunday night's
20/20 television documentary, which has triggered the current bout of unease,
is the latest in a series of media investigations which have raised profound
doubts over the way the case was conducted.
1997-1121 - The
Press - Police defend investigation
NZPA
- The morals of a detective involved in the crèche inquiry had no bearing on
its outcome, Police Association president Greg O'Connor said. He was appalled
that former detective Colin Eade's relationships with two of the
complainants' mothers was now being used in Peter Ellis's defence
1997-1121
- WaikatoTimes - Officers morals did not affect case
The morals of a detective involved in the
Christchurch crèche sex abuse inquiry had no bearing on its outcome, Police
Association president Greg O'Connor says. Mr O'Connor yesterday says he was
appalled that former Detective Colin Eade's relationship with two mothers of
children at the crèche was being used in defence of former Christchurch Civic
Childcare Centre worker Peter Ellis.
1997-1121 - Usenet -
Eades sexual relationships
by Miche Campbell, Russell is actually right in that it was three
women
1997-1121 - Radio
95bFM - Russell Brown's Hard News
by Russell Brown; ”There needs to
be a serious investigation of the whole thing, not just of the various crazy
people involved - and, my, weren't there a few of those - but of the role of
Social Welfare” “I think the cops, Social Welfare and all know something went
really wrong here”
1997-1121
- Otago Daily Times - Detectives behaviour discounted
The
morals of a detective involved in the Christchurch crèche sex abuse inquiry
had no bearing on its outcome, Police Association president Greg O'Connor
said yesterday
1997-1120
- Otago Daily Times - Police inquiry into Ellis conviction
Two MPs yesterday went public with their doubts
about the guilt of Peter Ellis as Police Commissioner Peter Doone agreed to
hold an inquiry into investigations that led to the conviction
1997-1120
- Waikato Times - MPs express doubt about Ellis guilt
Page 9, "MPs express doubt about Ellis' guilt"
1997-1120 - Herald -
Call for wider Ellis Inquiry
Page A4, "Call for wider Ellis inquiry"
1997-1120
- Dominion - Review of Ellis case labelled too narrow
by
Alan Samson - Supporters of convicted child abuser Peter Ellis say the police
review requested by a parliamentary committee yesterday of the police
investigation of the case is pointless because it is too narrow. A spokesman
for the supporters and Ellis, Winston Wealleans, said that such an inquiry
would let other agencies "off the hook".
1997-1120
- Dominion - Police to probe Ellis crèche case allegations
Police
are to investigate allegations that the detective heading the Christchurch
Civic Crèche child-abuse case had intimate relations with complainants'
mothers. Parliament's justice and law reform select committee asked Police
Commissioner Peter Doone yesterday to investigate allegations raised by
television programme 20/20 about the case.
1997-1120
- Evening Post - Ellis case cop defends relationships
by
Neil Reid - The Christchurch police officer who investigated the Peter Ellis
child abuse case today defended having a relationship with a mother of one of
the child complainants. Former Detective Colin Eade agreed he had
relationships with two mothers whose children attended the crèche at the
centre of the inquiry - and that he propositioned a third mother.
1997-1120 - The Press
- Ellis probe on ex-detective
by
Martin Van Beynen - Police will investigate a key figure in the controversial
Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre case. Police Commissioner Peter Doone
announced this yesterday after he was questioned about a former detective's
conduct by the parliamentary justice and law reform select committee.
Answering Labour Justice spokesman Phil Goff, Commissioner Doone said he
would respond to requests for a formal investigation. ``I can assure you that
if there are any ethical, procedural, or fairness breaches on the part of the
police at the end of that stage I will take every step to ensure that justice
will be done,'' he said.
1997-1119 -
Evening Post - Police to revisit Ellis case
NZPA
- Police have agreed to carry out an inquiry into the investigation that led
to the conviction of Peter Ellis, who is four years into a 10-year sentence
for child molestation. Police Commissioner Peter Doone today agreed to the request
by Parliament's justice and law reform select committee to hold an inquiry
into the investigation and in particular the actions of Detective Colin Eade,
who headed the investigation but is no longer in the police force
1997-1118
- Dominion - Ellis inquiry may look at actions of Crown lawyer
by
Alan Samson - Solicitor-General John McGrath gave a pointer yesterday to
possible action that could be taken to have the Peter Ellis child abuse case
reopened. He said investigations by his office would be confined to the
actions of Crown solicitor Brent Stanaway, who did not declare at Ellis's
1993 High Court trial that he knew jury foreman the Reverend Peter Williams.
1997-1118
- Dominion - Trial an outrage, says former police officer
NZPA
- The 1993 trial of Peter Ellis was "an outrage to justice", former
police superintendent Rana Waitai said in Wanganui yesterday. Mr Waitai, a NZ
First MP, told Wanganui Rotary that there should be a high-level inquiry or a
royal commission into the trial, as Ellis could be the victim of "an
almost unbelievably bizarre abortion of justice".
1997-1118
- The Press - Petition for Ellis pardon close to presentation
by
Hans Petrovic - The lawyer for convicted crèche worker Peter Ellis, Judith
Ablett-Kerr QC, expects her petition for a pardon for Ellis to be with the
Governor-General within a fortnight. It remained to be seen, however, whether
this would lead to an inquiry into the composition of the jury that convicted
Ellis in 1993,
1997-1118
- Otago Daily Times - MP demands inquiry into Ellis case
The 1993 trial of Peter Ellis was "an
outrage to justice", New Zealand First MP Rana Waitai said in Wanganui
yesterday
1997-1118 -
Waikato Times - Bid for pardon expected soon
Convicted crèche worker Peter Ellis' lawyer,
Judith Ablett-Kerr QC, expects her petition for a pardon to be with the
governor-general within a fortnight. It remained to be seen however whether
this would lead to an inquiry into the composition of the jury that convicted
Ellis in 1993, she said from Dunedin yesterday
1997-1118 - Herald - QC to
Petition for Pardon
Mrs Ablett-Kerr said matters 20/20 raised would
be part of the petition she hoped to send to Sir Michael within two weeks. He
has the power to grant a pardon, refer the matter to the Court of Appeal, or
do nothing
1997-1118
- Otago Daily Times - Lawyer to lodge petition for pardon
Convicted crèche worker Peter Ellis's lawyer,
Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, expects her petition for a pardon to be with the Governor-General
within a fortnight
1997-1117 -
Waikato Times - Prejudice claimed in Ellis case
NZPA
- More cracks in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre case have surfaced
after revelations about possible prejudice among the jurors. It was revealed
last night that one of the jurors knew the mother of one of the child
complainants who gave evidence against crèche worker Peter Ellis in 1993
1997-1117 -
Waikato Times - Return crèche case to court: QC
NZPA
- New evidence in the controversial Christchurch civic crèche case warranted
moves to bring the matter back to the Appeal Court, leading Christchurch
barrister Nigel Hampton QC said today. ... One of the jurors apparently knew
the mother of one of the child complainants who gave evidence against Ellis
in 1993, television reports. It also said the jury foreman, a Christchurch
clergyman, had officiated at the wedding of the case's lead prosecutor, Brent
Stanaway.
1997-1117 -
Evening Post - Call for Ellis case inquiry
by
Claire Guyan - As more questions surfaced today about the conviction of
Christchurch crèche worker Peter Ellis, his lawyer Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, is
calling for a full inquiry. She is planning to petition Governor-General Sir
Michael Hardie Boys for a free pardon for Ellis which she said could lead to
an inquiry into the case
1997-1117 -
Evening Standard - Abuse fear scaring men off
by
Lee Matthews - Men are still avoiding caring for young children as jobs
because of the fear of being accused of child abuse, says a Massey University
academic. ....Dr Farquhar, commenting on last night's 20/20 television
feature about the 1993 case of Christchurch childcare worker Peter Ellis,
convicted of child abuse, said most male teachers would welcome a move to
clear Ellis's name
1997-1117
- The Press - Revelations revive Ellis case queries
by
Anna Dunbar - More cracks in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre case
surfaced yesterday with revelations about possible prejudice among the
jurors. TV3's 20/20 programme revealed last night that one of the jurors knew
the mother of one of the child complainants who gave evidence against crèche
worker Peter Ellis in 1993.
1997-1117
- Dominion - Jury in childcare trial to be investigated
by
Alan Samson - The solicitor-general has ordered an investigation into the
jury that convicted childcare worker Peter Ellis after revelations of
possible irregularities. These relate to alleged non-declarations of interest
by two members of the 1993 High Court jury that convicted Ellis of 16 of 25
sexual charges of abuse on children in his care at the Christchurch Civic
Childcare Centre. It is also claimed that most or all of the children who
made allegations against Ellis had at various times withdrawn their
accusations.
1997-1117 -
Otago Daily Times - Questions over Ellis jury
More cracks in the Christchurch Civic Childcare
Centre case surfaced yesterday with revelations about possible prejudice
among the jurors. TV3's 20/20 programme revealed last night that one of the jurors, a
lesbian, knew the mother of one of the child complainants who gave evidence
against crèche worker Peter Ellis in 1993.
1997-1117 - Herald - Credibility
Letter to the Editor, by G Waugh -
Intimate knowledge of scientific research techniques and the stern code of neutrality
are hallmarks of true professionals.
By declaring its support (Nov 15) for John Read's findings about a
link between sexual abuse and psychotic disorders, Doctors for Sexual Abuse
Care (DSAC) has again overstepped the boundaries of professionalism
1997-1117 - Usenet - Detectives Hardie Eade and Pearce
by David McLoughlin, Much closer to Eade was Det Sgt Bob Hardie,
Eade's direct supervisor. Hardie was just as off-the-planet as Eade
1997-1116 - Usenet -
Witchhunt Never Mentioned
by Brian Lilburn. I admire the forebearance of Winston Wealleans on
the Kim Hill interview this morning, in not allowing the words 'witch-hunt'
to escape his lips.
1997-1116 - Usenet -
Detective Eade on 20/20
Notes from the television "20/20"
Special Report on the Christchurch Civic Crèche fiasco screened TV3, 6.30pm,
Sunday 16 November, 1997.
1997-1116 - TV3 - The Case In Question
Producer: Amanda Millar And Melanie Reid
Reporter: Melanie Reid
Transcript
- Part 1
Tonight
in this special investigation from reporter Melanie Reid, we will ask serious
questions about the impartiality of the jury. We go behind the scenes of the
police and Social Welfare investigation. And for the first time in five
years, a key policeman in the Enquiry speaks publicly about the case. And
we'll hear from the man himself, Peter Ellis. He gave his only television
interview to 20/20's Melanie Reid shortly before he began his jail term.
Transcript - Part 2
The
Christchurch Civic Crèche Case was almost a carbon copy of the American and
English Day Care Child Abuse cases It was a time of an American driven
philosophy about child sex abuse, that "children never lie" and
that "a child claiming to be sexually abused must always be telling the
truth". And as with the Crèche Case no medical evidence, no forensic
evidence and no corroborated evidence was required. In Christchurch, children
in the Crèche Case were interviewed extensively using anatomically correct
dolls, some five or six times. Five years on, interviewing standards in New
Zealand now stipulate one interview only and no anatomical dolls. But the new
standards have been of no help to Peter Ellis. But back to the case as it was
in 1993. The four female crèche workers in this case were discharged before
their trial, but at one point police wanted to arrest even more women crèche
workers, even Peter Ellis's mother. You see the police and Social Welfare
specialists were convinced Peter Ellis was an abuser and that being the case,
they believed he couldn't have acted alone. Melanie Reid's special
investigation continues.
Transcript - Part 3
As
we indicated, Melanie Reid has evidence that raises concerns about some
members of the jury that heard the case and brought in the verdict of guilty.
Here in New Zealand the law prevents us from naming or identifying jury
members and also prevents us from making any approach to jurors. However, in
the last part of this report we ask if two jury members could have
compromised Ellis's right to a fair trial.
Transcript - Review, 1997-1123
You
will by now be aware of the reaction to Melanie Reid's report about the
Christchurch Civic Crèche Case and the trial and conviction of Peter Ellis
for sexual abuse of children at the crèche where he worked. That special
report which screened here on 20/20 last week examined how the evidence
against Ellis was gathered. It raised serious concerns about two jury members
who heard the case and investigated the man who investigated Peter Ellis.
Recapping events since that report aired, here’s Melanie Reid.
1997-1115 -
Dominion - Civic crèche abuse case revisited
by
Erin Kennedy - Reporter Melanie Reid, who covered the trial in 1992, revisits
the case with Ellis five years into his 10-year sentence. According to 20/20,
she has uncovered new information on the police investigation and the
subsequent court trial. Reid says that a key detective on the case was in
psychological trouble at the time of the inquiry and one of the child
witnesses now says she lied to the court. Reid also questions the
impartiality of two jury members
1997-1109 - Radio NZ -
Eade speaks out
The police officer who helped send convicted
child abuser Peter Ellis to jail has spoken out for the first time about the
case. Colin Eade, a former detective, says he's still convinced of Ellis's guilt
- despite the doubts of many who believe he's innocent
1997-1002 - Dominion -
Overhaul for bad justice
Crèche
worker Peter Ellis, found guilty in 1993 of sexually abusing seven children,
appealed against his conviction on the ground that key evidence never reached
the courtroom. Other trial shortcomings are detailed in a feature on the
facing page.
1997-0706 - Sunday
Star Times - Failing the innocent
by
Grace Thurlow - The article on the Peter Ellis case (June 22) asks: "How
on earth can this have happened?" David Rieff in his book Los Angeles
refers to a similar case there in 1983
1997-0629 - Sunday
Star Times - Inquiry for Ellis case
by
Frank MacSkasy - It is not often I agree with Frank Haden -- but in the case
of Peter Ellis (June 22) I concur with his view that another miscarriage of
justice has occurred. My suspicions of the "safeness" of Ellis'
conviction is based, in part, on the fact that his co-workers were also
arrested and charged, but later dismissed. The evidence against them was
non-existent.
1997-0629 - Sunday
Star Times - Haden piece appalling
by
Sally Goldsworthy - I was appalled to read in the Peter Ellis article (June
22) that the Portobelo Pre-School which has replaced the Christchurch City
Crèche still has the same illustrious environment, according to Frank Haden.
1997-0629 - Sunday
Star Times - Ellis Case, Part II
by
N Foote - Wasn't that really what the sex abuse industry was all about? Money
. . . money . . . money
1997-0622
- Sunday Star Times - How on earth can this abuse case have happened?
by
Frank Haden - Four years ago today, Peter Ellis was jailed for 10 years for
sexually abusing seven children at the Christchurch Civic Centre crèche.
Frank Haden, who has long argued the case against Ellis should have failed,
looks at new moves to free him
1997-0503 - Evening Post
- Truth is the casualty
Letter
to the Editor by Noeline Gannaway - Too often truth has been a casualty of
our adversarial criminal justice system inherited from English common law.
This is the system that has imprisoned David Bain, David Tamahere, John
Barlow and Peter Ellis, and it has largely lost public confidence
1997-0129
- Daily News - Society suffering as males run scared of abuse accusations
Massey
University researcher Sarah Farquhar may have exposed more than she realises
with her investigation into male under-representation in kindergartens and
childcare centres. Dr Farquhar's interviews with with 20 male and 20 female
workers in this area has disclosed that fear of being wrongly accused of sex
abuse is scaring men away from this career. In the light of publicity given
to Christchurch Civic Centre worker Peter Ellis, and Wellington Hospital
childcare centre teacher Peter Scott, this is hardly surprising.
1997-0128
- Dominion - Men scared off teaching by sex claims – report
by
Alison Tocker - Fear of being wrongly accused of having sexually abused
children is scaring men away from early childhood teaching, according to a
report by Massey University lecturer Sarah Farquhar. More than half the male
teachers surveyed report having been treated as if they were a child abuser,
or being made to feel they could be one. The study, A Few Good Men or a Few
Too Many? A Study of Male Teachers, says employers appear to favour women
teachers due to an apparent belief it is not safe or good for children to
have male teachers.
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