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This page last
updated 23 Jan 2007
Dec
14 2006; President of Court of Appeal reviews a book about justice gone wrong
Justice William
Young reviews "The Innocent Man" about a case of injustice in
America. In response R Christie of Addington suggests two even better
illustrations of how badly wrong the criminal process can go: Appeal Court
judgments The Queen v Ellis 1994 and The Queen v Ellis 1999.
2006-1214
- The Press - Examples at hand
Dec
12 2006; Don Brash refers to Peter Ellis case in valedictory speech
Don Brash valedictory
speech refers to his involvement in the petition he organised with Katherine
Rich. "I take satisfaction that Katherine Rich and I were able to mount
a substantial petition calling on the government to set up a Commission of
Inquiry into the matter - and have it signed by two former Prime Ministers,
eleven law professors, eleven Queens Counsel, and many other prominent New
Zealanders, including members from most of the parties in this House. "
2006-1212 -
National Party - Don Brash Valedictory Speech (extract)
Dec
2 2006; Journalist Frank Haden, supporter of Peter Ellis, stops writing
 Frank Haden, with prostate cancer can no longer
write. He is interviewed well by Mike Crean, with similar reports in the
Press and Dominion Post. He is
interviewed much less well by Rosemary McLeod. Peterellis.org.nz issues a press release
thanking Frank for his willingness to speak his mind on the Christchurch
Civic Creche case.
2006-1202 - The Press - Frank Haden:
man of words
2006-1202 - Dominion Post - The
world according to Haden
2006-1203 - Sunday Star Times - To be
Frank
2006-1204 - peterellis.org.nz
- Thank you, Frank Haden
Frank Haden
Sept
30 2006, Theodore Dalrymple comments on the Peter Ellis case.
Dalrymple concluded
about the Peter Ellis sexual abuse affair, that "a New Zealand court has given
credence to accusations that even the Spanish Inquisition might have found
preposterous."
2006-0930 - NZ Herald - Into a dangerous void
Sept
26 2006, New touching policy "commonsense" but little cause for
celebration
Anthony Holder,
owner two preschools: "Applauded
the move but said he believed it would not reverse men's reluctance to enter
the profession" "The case of
Peter Ellis put a dampener on the whole teaching environment"
Peterellis.org issued a media release "Potential teachers will not be
lulled by soothing words. They know that Peter Ellis was convicted of
imaginary crimes at the Christchurch Civic creche. And those same potential
teachers can see that the "problem of Peter" has been swept under
the carpet by educational groups. What confidence can potential teachers have
that they will be supported if they were to suffer the same fate as Ellis?"
2006-0926 - Nelson Mail - Wary
welcome for guidelines
2006-0926 - peterellis.org.nz
- The elephant in the schoolroom
Sept
27-Oct 3 2006; Editorials blame discredited touching policy on Peter Ellis
case
The Nelson Mail
says that paedophilia hysteria pushing the PC pendulum to an extreme limit is
blamed for the virtual abandonment of early childhood teaching as a career by
men..... One irony is that much of the hysteria traces to a case that has, in
many minds, been largely discredited."
The Manawatu
Standard
"The no-touch era came about as a result of the Peter Ellis Christchurch
creche case in the early 1990s, which sent shockwaves through the education
system. The Peter Ellis case created one of the most dramatic changes in the
way we regard our small children and the educational institutions to which
they are sent. Tiny doubts over the safety of children around male teachers
became full-blown paranoia"
Taranaki Daily News " [Hysteria] erupted in New
Zealand in 1991 with the absurd charges against staff at the Christchurch
Civic Creche, eventually focused on the unfortunate Peter Ellis. The Commissioner
for Children immediately declared that the country had a major crisis and set
about rewriting guidelines for education professionals throughout the
system"
Rotorua Review "the issue had its sordid
genesis in the 1990s over the Peter Ellis creche trial in Christchurch. The
fallout from that trial, the reverberations nationally in education in
particular was been widespread"
2006-0927 - Nelson Mail - Okay to
touch - when appropriate
2006-0929 - Manawatu
Standard - A great win for common sense
2006-0929 - Taranaki Daily News -
Teachers' no-touch rule did them and children disservice
2006-1003 - Rotorua
Review - Classroom tolerance
Sept
26-30 2006; Primary teachers modified touching guidelines welcomed
"Community
concern" after Peter Ellis was convicted resulted in a strict code of
conduct about teachers not being permitted to touch children. "Touching
could be misconstrued" and placed staff "at risk of indecency
allegations". A new code says touching is acceptable when "carried
out in a professional and responsible manner that is age appropriate".
Alison Jones, Auckland University professor of
education welcomed the new guidelines: "The
old code of conduct really turned all teachers into potential paedophiles and
just reinforced social anxieties"
Chris Haines, Head School Trustees Association: "There has always got to be
protection for children, but sometimes we have got tied up with some of this
PC stuff"
Sue Thorne, Early Childhood Council chief
executive: "the paedophile
hysteria of the 1990s is the reason just 1 per cent of early education
workers are male", "The shortage of men working in the sector is a
national disgrace"
Barry Brooker, Director School Primary teacher
education at Christchurch College of Education: "I hope one of the positive things that will come out of this
will be that more people -- particularly male -- will come to teaching,"
Margaret Mooney: Deputy president of the Parent
Teacher Association, "welcome the
new guidelines"
Sue Wayman, South Canterbury Kindergartens
Association, "a common sense
approach to contact with children."
2006-0926 - NZ Herald - Teachers
can touch children, says union
2006-0927 - The Press -
Teachers welcome relaxed rules
2006-0930 - Timaru Herald - No
male teachers at SC kindergartens
Sept
23 2006; Lack of male teachers affected by Peter Ellis case
A study by Child
Forum researcher and former University of Otago post graduate student Sarah
Farquhar who found the main reasons males were under-represented in early
childhood teaching included fear of child sex abuse allegations, low wages
and the perceived feminine nature of the work
Childcare centre owner Ann Barrowclough "PC
hysteria generated by people like Miriam Saphira and the Peter Ellis case has
scared males from the profession";
Sarah Farquhar:
"it was time to see the
hysteria and moral panic for what it was -- a panic". "The Ellis
case created a kind of hysteria throughout the community";
Duncan Fisher, Early child care worker: "My first job was just after the
Peter Ellis thing, and one parent took their child out of the centre I was
due to work at";
Sue Thorne, Early Childhood Council CEO: "The
problem was linked to the "paedophile hysteria" that followed Christchurch's Civic Creche abuse scandal involving Peter Ellis in the
1990s";
David Butler, Early child care worker: "Male teachers feared abuse
allegations"
2006-0923 - Otago Daily Times - Male
influences lacking in NZ preschools
2006-0925 - The Press - Call to
end anti-male bias
2006-0926 - The Press - Men needed
for childcare
2006-0926 - The Press -
Endangered species
2006-0926 - Dominion Post -
Males victims of childcare 'sexism'
2006-0926 - Timaru
Herald - 'Paedophile hysteria' scaring men
2006-0626 - The Press -
Selective evidence
by Rod Maxwell - Obviously he (Phil Goff) is prepared to accept as gospel the
writings of one person, that New Zealand soldiers did not commit crimes, but
compelling evidence that another New Zealander, Peter Ellis, did not commit
any crime can be brushed aside
2006-0620 - National Radio -
The trial that shook and shocked New Zealand
Jim Mora reviews events of 1993, including the Christchurch Civic Crèche
case. And then interviews Lynley Hood, the author of A City Possessed... Lynley Hood: "I’m interested in finding out what did or didn’t happen at the crèche
and I expected there’d be some truth somewhere and so I just kept digging and
digging and digging. And there was nothing.
There was absolutely no basis for the charges at all. I was stunned
when I came to the end of it.
2006-0617 - Dominion Post -
Those drawn to the magnet of professed innocence
by Martin van Beynen - To cynics, they are self-serving members of the
innocence industry: natural dissidents who get a kick out of backing
irredeemable murderers and who enjoy casting aspersions on police and the
justice system. To others -- even if only a few -- they are crusaders for
justice, heroes prepared to battle authority and cosseted institutions to
gain redress for the wronged............... Lynley Hood, whose book A City Possessed cast overwhelming
doubt on the conviction of Christchurch Civic Creche worker Peter Ellis on
child abuse charges, spent six years (17,000 hours) on her book. Of late she
has campaigned for a royal commission into the case and is also seeking
changes in the process by which sexual abuse claims are investigated and
prosecuted.
2006-0602 - NZ Lawyer - Sex cases
by Gerald Lascelles and Kerry Cook - Had they considered the Peter Ellis
case, Denise Arnold and Scott Optican might have been more circumspect in
their comments on Justice Madgwick's decision, reported in NZ Lawyer issue
39, 5 May 2006........ Those charged with exploring possible injustice might
reflect on this thoughtful Australian judgment and, at the same time,
consider if the issue of imposing statutory time limits for the making of
complaints in sexual cases should be fully debated.
2006-0501 - Dominion Post -
Judge's views are vital
by Martin Bond - Anyone who supposes that the flagrant miscarriages of
justice perpetrated and perpetuated in the Peter Ellis judgments have not
blighted the integrity of our judicial system in the eyes of many for a long
time to come has underestimated the situation.
2006-0406 - The Press - Privy
Council move for Ellis
by Kim Thomas - The final chapter in the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre
case could be played out in the Privy Council. Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, the
lawyer for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis, yesterday confirmed she was
pressing ahead with an appeal to the Privy Council over his 1993 convictions
for abusing children. The Ellis petition might be the last appeal the Privy
Council hears from New Zealand.
2006-0406 - One News - Ellis
applies for leave to appeal
Lawyer Judith Ablett-Kerr QC says she has been trying to get permission for
the appeal since a parliamentary committee recommended last year that the
attorney general not oppose it. Ablett-Kerr says she is filing the appeal
without permission and will leave it to the attorney general to decide what
position he takes on the matter. She says her client is disillusioned with
the lack of parliamentary response on the issue.
2006-0406 - Waikato Times - Case
could go to council
The final chapter in the Christchurch Civic Creche case could be played out
in the Privy Council. Judith Ablett Kerr, the lawyer for convicted paedophile
Peter Ellis, yesterday confirmed she was pressing ahead with an appeal to the
Privy Council over his 1993 convictions for abusing children
2006-0406 - NZ Herald - Peter
Ellis to press ahead with Privy Council appeal
NZPA - Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis is pressing ahead with an appeal to
the Privy Council over his 1993 convictions for abusing children...... Today,
she acknowledged there had been "a lot of to-ing and fro-ing"
between her and the Solicitor-General and the Attorney-General. "But
rather than delay matters any further, the decision has been taken to draft
his petition and file it in London and get on with it," she said.
"We'll deal with the issue of whether the Solicitor-General wishes to
follow the recommendation of the select committee at a later stage."
2006-0406 - Newstalk ZB -
Ellis's lawyer wants Privy Council hearing
A petition seeking leave to appeal to the Privy Council will be filed by
lawyers for convicted paedophile Peter Ellis. Ellis maintained his innocence
throughout his jail term for abusing children at the former Christchurch
Civic Creche in the 1990s.
2006-0405 - Dominion
Post - Credibility partly restored
by Ross Francis - So the commission of inquiry into alleged police
impropriety is set to cost up to $14 million. What can taxpayers expect to
see for this money? We apparently can
expect that juries will acquit defendants when there is a lack of supporting
evidence, and good job too. But should it cost $14 million to determine that
our legal system operates as it should?
When will we finally see an inquiry into another case that also lacked
supporting evidence? No inquiry yet has had the good fortune to traverse all
the relevant evidence in the Peter Ellis case.
2006-0405 - Stuff - Ellis to
appeal to Privy Council
Convicted paedophile Peter Ellis is pressing ahead with an appeal to the
Privy Council over his 1993 convictions for abusing children ........ The
justice and electoral select committee recommended last August that the
Attorney-General not oppose a bid by Ellis, who was convicted of sexually
abusing children at the Christchurch Civic Childcare Centre where he worked.
He served two-thirds of a 10-year jail sentence but has always maintained his
innocence. The committee also recommended legal aid be provided for the
appeal
2006-0405 - NZ Herald - Peter
Ellis to press ahead with Privy Council appeal
 NZPA - Convicted paedophile Peter
Ellis is pressing ahead with an appeal to the Privy Council over his 1993
convictions for abusing children. Ellis' lawyer, Judith Ablett Kerr, QC, of
Dunedin, said today she would apply for special leave to appeal to the Privy
Council immediately despite having yet had no response from the
Attorney-General on whether such an appeal should proceed.
2006-0404 - Newswire - Ellis
Prepares For Privy Council Appeal
The lawyer for the convicted paedophile Peter Ellis hopes to lodge his case
with the Privy Council within months. The former Christchurch Civic Creche
worker, who served seven years in jail, has always maintained his innocence
2006-0312 - Sunday Star Times - Welcome
to NZ - beware ……..
by Michael Laws - ……..Which might
account for this new phenomenon that Labour minister Ruth Dyson was warning
us against last week. Elder abuse, and especially elder sexual abuse. Yep,
you read that right. Elder sexual abuse seems to be the post-millennium
version of recovered memory syndrome - even if the Alzheimers ensures it's
unrecovered. I must admit that anything Dyson warns us against is instantly
suss, but these latest ministerial claims are just bizarre. It's the decrepit
version of all that ritual Satanic abuse that was supposed to be happening in
our playcentres and creches in the late 1980s. In short - crap.
2006-0304 - NZ Herald -
Minister's crucifixion an ugly spectacle
Fran O'Sullivan (writing about the Benson-Pope allegations) - I find it
astonishing that National leader Don Brash - one of a big swag of New Zealand
notables who signed a petition for an inquiry into the Peter Ellis affair -
should put his name to such an inquisition.
Brash, after all - and a number of notable editors - thought the
allegations that a Christchurch creche was basically a paedophile cesspit
verged on the Salem witch trial hysteria.
2006-0226 - Sunday Star Times - Let's see
confidential files, says judge
by Donna Chisholm - A retired judge wants investigators of wrongful
convictions to be given sweeping powers to order doctors and lawyers to hand
over patient and client records. Sir Thomas Thorp, whose recent report on
miscarriages of justice suggested up to 20 inmates might be wrongly locked
up, has called for an independent body to investigate wrongful
convictions...........Thorp was a guest speaker at Friday's conference on
miscarriages of justice at Auckland University. In the audience were Peter
Ellis - widely believed to have been wrongfully convicted of child abuse...
2006-0226 - Sunday Star Times - Ghost of
the innocent man
The debate now occurring over the need for an independent body to review
possible miscarriages of justice is necessary and overdue...... Cases such as
Arthur Allan Thomas, David Dougherty and Peter Ellis tell us the ghost of the
innocent man convicted is far from an unreal dream. And that what we need to
fear is not the sentiment that obstructs, delays and defeats the prosecution
of crime, but the one that defeats the provision of justice.
Feb
24 2006; Robert Lithgow discusses Miscarriages of Justice on Closeup
Susan Wood
introduces the new report by Justice Thorp on miscarriages of justice, and
discusses the proposals with criminal lawyer Robert Lithgow. The report uses
the Ellis case as an example of the type of case that the Court of Appeal is
currently inadequately equipped to deal with, and that requires some sort of
permanent Commission of Inquiry.
2006-0224 -
TVNZ: Closeup - Miscarriages of Justice
(includes transcript) New Jan 2007
 
Robert
Lithgow discusses miscarriages of justice with Susan Wood
2006-0211 - Dominion Post -
Stuffy law posturings
by Martin Bond - Your article on Robert Lithgow (February 4) dragging from
the closet professional concerns about the Court of Appeal is welcome. The
conduct of the Peter Ellis trial alone, and subsequent appeals, would in
themselves have set alarm bells ringing in the minds of every thinking person
about the operation of our judicial system.
2006-0204 - Dominion Post -
Rebel with a cause
by David McLoughlin - But it [Court of Appeal] rarely inquires into whether a
jury was right to find someone guilty based on the evidence it heard. It has
traditionally ruled that the facts of the case are for juries to decide and
courts should not interfere with a jury's decision. Mr Lithgow says that
opens the door to miscarriages of justice, such as the Court of Appeal twice
refusing to look at the "absurd" evidence that led to Christchurch
childcare worker Peter Ellis being found guilty in 1993 of abusing children
2006-0131 - Stuff - Sir Thomas -
don't hold your breath
 by Pat Booth - I've disagreed
quite violently and publicly with a few judges in my time, but - no surprise
- I agree entirely with Sir Thomas Thorp …… A long overdue development. I
wish him well, but advise him not to hold his breath. Based on the eight
years of experience I shared with Dr Jim Sprott and others in our
investigations of the Thomas affair and which led to his pardon, I feel that
police, lawyers, attorney-generals and the whole justice system does not take
kindly to suggestions it could have stuffed up.
2006-0130 - Otago Daily Times - Let’s not
rewrite crime and punishment
by Michael Guest (ex judge and lawyer until struck off): The Law Society, the
Criminal Bar Association, defence lawyers and the murderers’ and paedophiles’
supporters’ society have all climbed on the bandwagon with the rhetoric of
“this sounds good, I’ll have some of that”.
2006-0127 - The Press - NZ needs
independent judicial watchdog
by Paula Weir - The public could mistakenly think that the Peter Ellis case
was a rarity and therefore there is no need for an independent body to
investigate the dangers of convictions based on an alarming lack of evidence,
overwhelming alibis, collusion and corroboration amongst witnesses producing
character assassinations, and false assumptions
2006-0127 - Hawkes Bay
Today - Justice demands vigilance
Editorial by Louis Pierard -
Protestations of innocence come freely from behind bars so it's not
surprising that many claims that there have been miscarriages of justice fall
on cynical ears. Self-interest is often the motive for attempts to undermine
confidence in the justice system.
However, it takes just one cause célèbre, like that of the Peter Ellis
Christchurch crèche sex abuse case (in which there are inconsistencies that
cry out to be examined) to raise public doubts about the fairness of a
conviction.
2006-0127 - One News - Lawyers
turn backs on aid work
The Law Society says miscarriages of justice are occurring as a result of
lawyers turning their backs on legal aid work
2006-0127 - NBR - Chattering-class
hero behaving badly
by David Cohen - In case you didn't know, Linda Clark will be stepping down
from National Radio's Nine To Noon programme in March after presenting the
high-profile magazine show for almost four years….. Ms Clark also enjoys the
dubious distinction of being the National Radio presenter responsible for
occasioning the organisation's biggest-ever grovel following a Broadcasting
Standards Authority decision that a programme she hosted in August 2003 was
blatantly unfair and unbalanced in its hounding of Peter Ellis.
2006-0126 - The Press - The case for
justice
Editorial - In the last few years there have been a number of criminal cases
in which the conviction of the accused has not been the end of the matter.
Even when the conviction has been upheld on appeal and occasionally even
after some sort of post-appeal inquiry, unease about the justice of the case
has lingered. Probably the most famous case to fall into this category was
the murder conviction of Arthur Allan Thomas, who was eventually cleared only
after a protracted commission of inquiry. A more recent instance is the
conviction of Peter Ellis for offences against children. A trial, two appeals
and two inquiries have all failed to lay to rest misgivings about aspects of
the case
2006-0126 - NZ Herald - Why
it's the legal system not the justice system
by Catriona MacLennan - The suggestion that up to a score of New Zealand
inmates might be wrongly imprisoned comes as little surprise to those
familiar with the workings of the legal system. The cornerstone of New
Zealand's court processes is the adversarial system. This is a procedure
which essentially involves a contest between prosecution and defence as to
who can best conform to a precise set of rules. It is not designed to
establish the truth - surely a fundamental flaw
2006-0124 - Nelson Mail -
Striving for justice
Editorial - Justice doesn't come cheap. However, the State carries a responsibility
to take all reasonable steps to get it right……. it is surely better to bear
the costs of catching flawed justice early than to have individuals
languishing in prison wrongly. Justice must not only be seen to be done, it
must also be done right.
2006-0124 - Timaru Herald - A
legal safety net
Editorial - At first glance it might seem as if the call for an independent
body to identify miscarriages of justice was not needed……One of the first
examples often given of a miscarriage having taken place, and one that Sir
Thomas looked at, is the case of Peter Ellis. There is certainly a strong
case to suggest that this is an error in dire need of formal recognition and
closure, the sort of outcome that might easily come from an independent
authority looking into controversial cases
2006-0124 - NZ Herald -
Safeguard against injustice
Editorial - Innocent until proven guilty, beyond reasonable doubt and
"it is better that 10 guilty persons escape than one innocent
suffer" are all well-known legal aphorisms that make the same
fundamental point. The system should do everything in its power to get it
right and, if anything, the benefit of the doubt should go to the accused……
Sir Thomas argues that in New Zealand, as in Britain, the Court of Appeal is
unsuited and reluctant to engage in the investigation and resolution of
factual controversy. He points out that during the Ellis appeals the court,
on more than one occasion, said the issues that Peter Ellis wanted to address
were more suitable to be heard by a commission of inquiry.
2006-0124 - NZ Herald -
Wrongful Convictions
by Gordon Waugh - Sir Thomas Thorp's report on wrongful convictions is most
welcome. Wrongful convictions readily arise in sex cases where the
prosecution relies on the uncorroborated word of a complainant……..Evidence
Act amendments removed the need for corroborative evidence, and allowed
so-called "expert witnesses" to misguide juries as to childhood and
adult behaviours after alleged sexual abuse. The Peter Ellis case is the
foremost example of this
2006-0123 - NBR - Burton will consider
Thorp report on miscarriages of justice
The Justice Minister says he will look into a report that calls for the
creation of an independent body to investigate miscarriages of
justice……National Party leader Don Brash has joined calls for the creation of
an independent body to identify miscarriages of justice. Dr Brash says the case of former day-care
worker Peter Ellis, who was convicted of 16 charges of sexual abuse against
children, highlights the need for a new way of doing thing
2006-0123 - Manawatu
Standard - Another look at guilt and innocence
Editorial - …..it is not easy to fight against a judicial system that puts
people in prison and the obvious solution is to reduce the risk of getting it
wrong in the first place……..Innocent people can be found guilty for a variety
of reasons – a genuine error of identification by the victim, a faulty
prosecution case, a jury that makes its decision on emotion rather than fact,
to name just a few
2006-0123 - kiwiblog - Brash
backs Independent Justice Panel
by David Farrar et al - Not surprised but pleased Don Brash has backed the
proposal by a former Judge for an independent body to identify miscarriages
of justice.Don, and Katherine Rich, have been active supporters of an inquiry
into the Peter Ellis case
2006-0123 - Otago Daily Times -
National backs call for review of justice
 National Party leader Don Brash
said yesterday he supported a call for an independent body to identify
miscarriages of justice.
2006-0123 - Scoop - Jailed
Innocents Drive Call For Miscarriage Of Justice Body
National Party Leader Don Brash says he supports a call for the establishment
of an independent body to identify miscarriages of justice.
2006-0123 - National
Party - Brash supports call for independent authority
 Press Release - National Party
Leader Don Brash says he supports a call for the establishment of an
independent body to identify miscarriages of justice. ……“It is cases like the
Peter Ellis case that highlight the need for an independent body with the resources
and authority to investigate possible miscarriages of justice.” According to
previously published reports, Sir Thomas Thorp said he also had misgivings
about Peter Ellis’ conviction.
Don
Brash (from Scoop)
2006-0123 - One News -
Minister to look into justice report
Justice Minister Mark Burton says he will look into a report that calls for
the creation of an independent body to investigate miscarriages of justice……
Burton says that when a respected figure like Sir Thomas Thorp makes such a
report it has to be taken seriously. He says he will analyse the findings and
ask the advice of the legal community before making any decisions.
2006-0123 - NZ Herald - Brash
backs probe panel
National Party leader Don Brash has supported a call for an independent body
to identify miscarriages of justice.
He was commenting on a report by retired High Court judge Sir Thomas
Thorp, which said up to 20 people may be wrongly imprisoned in New
Zealand……"It is cases like the Peter Ellis case that highlight the need
for an independent body with the resources and authority to investigate
possible miscarriages of justice," Dr Brash said. "It is critical that the public have
complete confidence in our legal system. The Ellis case cast doubt in
people's minds.
2006-0122 - NZ Herald - Sir Thomas
Thorp's report
by Gordon Waugh - Sir Thomas Thorp's report on wrongful convictions is most
welcome. Wrongful convictions readily arise in cases of a sexual nature where
the prosecution relies on the uncorroborated word of a complainant. Some
complaints are decades old, when no other evidence could possibly be
available. They often rely on "recovered memories" or "delayed
recall" and other deceptions. There are plenty of examples.
2006-0122 - One News - Lawyer
backs justice report
The barrister representing convicted child abuser Peter Ellis says she
supports a new report into miscarriages of justice in New Zealand. The
report, by retired High Court judge, Sir Thomas Thorpe, analysed 53
applications to the Justice Ministry claiming miscarriages of justice…..
Peter Ellis's lawyer, Judith Ablett-Kerr QC says the report is very
interesting and she supports calls to establish an independent authority to
identify miscarriages of justice.
2006-0121 - kiwiblog -
Miscarriages of Justice
by David Farrar et al - Retired Judge Sir Thomas Thorp has called for an
independent authority to be set up to identify miscarriages of justice. I
concur that this would be an excellent move. I find it interesting that Sir
Thomas has concluded David Bain's conviction for the murder of his parents
and siblings was safe but that he had misgivings about Peter Ellis'
conviction. That is very much my views also
2006-0121 - Stuff - Up to 20 people may
have been wrongly jailed in NZ
Up to 20 people may be wrongly imprisoned in New Zealand, says the retired
High Court judge who looked into the Peter Ellis Christchurch creche case for
the Government. Sir Thomas Thorp has called for an independent authority to
be set up to identify miscarriages of justice.
2006-0121 - One News - Retired
judge calls for jail inquiry
A retired judge is calling for an independent body to be set up to stop, he says,
innocent people being kept in jail. Sir Thomas Thorp says going on British
figures, there could be up to 20 people wrongly held in New Zealand
prisons…..The judge had concerns about the safety of Ellis's conviction, but
nothing happened. The case sparked Thorp's interest in possible miscarriages
of justice and ultimately this report and there are plenty of examples
2006-0121 - Otago Daily Times - Could be
up to 20 innocents in NZ jails
from the NZ Herald - As many as 20 people may be wrongly in New Zealand’s
jails, says the retired High Court judge who looked into the Peter Ellis
Christchurch creche case for the Government. Sir Thomas Thorp is calling for
an independent authority to be set up to identify miscarriages of justice.
2006-0121 - NZ Herald - Up to 20
wrongly in jail says judge
Sir Thomas Thorp
by Phil Taylor - As many as 20 people may be wrongly in New Zealand's jails,
says the retired High Court judge who looked into the Peter Ellis
Christchurch creche case for the Government. Sir Thomas Thorp is calling for
an independent authority to be set up to identify miscarriages of justice,
the number of which he says is underestimated.
2006-0121 - NZ Herald - Still
working for justice
Sir Thomas Thorp
by Phil Taylor - Sir Thomas Thorp has forbidden himself from discussing the
merits of this case or that. So we can't expect him to tell us that the Peter
Ellis case piqued his interest in the issue of miscarriages of justice, but
it's a fair bet. The former High Court judge and Parole Board chairman has
spent much of the past two years researching and writing a report about how
we and comparable justice systems deal with claims of wrongful conviction.
2006-0121 - Newstalk ZB - Call for
justice investigators
The Criminal Bar Association says an independent body to investigate
miscarriages of justice is long overdue. It is a recommendation from retired
judge Sir Thomas Thorp, in a report in which he estimates at least 20 people
have been wrongly jailed. He says miscarriages of justice are sometimes
caused by police misconduct but also by prosecutors and lawyers not doing
their jobs properly.
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