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Allegations
of Abuse in Institutions |
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I applaud Australian
judge Rodney Madgwick's decision to decline to extradite the two St John of
God clergymen facing historical sexual abuse allegations. I abhor the crimes they
are accused of, but I have grave concerns they will get a fair trial in New
Zealand, especially in Christchurch, the home of sexual hysteria and the
biggest miscarriage of justice every committed - the Peter Ellis case. The Christchurch police
have failed on numerous occasions to prevent contamination of complainants'
statements and to adequately investigate evidence and alibis associated with
historical claims. There is no proof that, currently, their investigations
are any less flawed. Until the judicial
system stops approaching the accused with a prejudicial mindset and starts
checking more thoroughly the veracity of complainants' backgrounds,
especially where memory reliability is concerned, and ensuring equality of
disclosure to both the defence and prosecution, I doubt we will see fair and
just outcomes in most historical cases. |
