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Focus on
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Auckland - After
convictions against three teenage girls were overturned last week the
detective in charge of the case, former international test cricketer
detective constable Trevor Franklin, has hired a lawyer to help save his
career. "At the moment,
not all of the relevant information about this case is in the public
arena," said lawyer Richard Earwaker. "People need to withhold
judgment until all the facts are known." Mr Franklin employed Mr
Earwaker after it was revealed last week he was in charge of the case in
which three teenage girls were found to have been wrongly jailed. Mr Earwaker
said Mr Franklin was co-operating fully with an investigation into the police
handling of the case. A friend also said Mr
Franklin "categorically denies any criminal conduct". The Police Association
is also standing by Mr Franklin. "We're making sure he's not hung out to
dry. That's what tends to happen ... Everyone looks for someone to
blame," said association president Greg O'Connor. He said the public
should remember the climate in which Auckland police were working with staff
shortages resulting in staff being left alone. |
