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Allegations of Abuse
in NZ |
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Tea Ropati - League Star accused
of rape |
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Sunday News Lawyer John Ropati who acted for
Tea during the rape trial had a row, using four-letter words, with his league
star brother before threatening to withdraw from the defence team. The spat, nine days ago, in the
corridors of the Auckland District Court followed the case being adjourned
for Auckland anniversary weekend. Tea was heard to accuse his brother the
junior counsel on the defence team of having not followed his instructions
over the cross-examination of a key defence witness. Tea had passed a note to
his brother during the cross-examination with a question he wanted asked. After a heated argument, John,
left, stormed from the courthouse, yelling: "You can do this yourself, I
am going on holiday." After the incident, senior defence
lawyer Gary Gotlieb, said there was "tension" between the pair.
"Tea is pissed off, but I don't really blame him," Gotlieb said. Tea told Sunday News at the time:
"This is big brother stuff, mate. This is what happens when the family
gets involved." But by Tuesday, John was back on
the defence team. |
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