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One
News
December 10, 2003
Creche case before select committee
A select
committee has heard submissions on whether concerns raised over the Peter
Ellis case warrant a royal commission of inquiry.
The former Christchurch Civic Creche worker was found guilty in 1993 of
offences against seven children.
The initial inquiry was sparked by two petitions with almost 4,000 signatures
calling for the commission. The petitions were signed by many high profile
New Zealanders - including former prime ministers, law professors, writers
and psychologists.
Lynley Hood, the author of a book about the case - A City Possessed - told the
committee there were serious flaws in the investigative techniques. She said
the criminal justice process needed to be addressed.
She said the problems with the Ellis case have wide implications if they are
not corrected.
The Ministry of Justice questioned the select committee as to whether there
was any new information to warrant another inquiry.
Earlier this year Justice Minister Phil Goff said the case has already been
well scrutinised by both the Court of Appeal and a former Chief Justice
during the ministerial inquiry in 2001.
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