Ewen Macdonald found not guilty

**scumdog** · 3rd July 2012, 17:50

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

So he didn't quite get off Scott free then?

Ah hem...

I think the Police got it right but if half the shit I've heard is true they were tripped up at the last minute by a bombshell witness who decided not to testify. That would have provided plenty of motive.

You're onto something Paul...

**oneofsix** · 3rd July 2012, 17:51

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

So he didn't quite get off Scott free then?

Ah hem...

I think the Police got it right but if half the shit I've heard is true they were tripped up at the last minute by a bombshell witness who decided not to testify. That would have provided plenty of motive.

if that is the case then it is a pity they can't charge that witness with being an accessory after the crime. They either mis-lead the police into charging the wrong person or assisted the right person getting off by not testifying, either way they assisted the murder.

**Str8 Jacket** · 3rd July 2012, 18:02

Originally Posted by tigertim20

Ive been following this for a while, and its no surprise to me at all that he was found not guilty.
dunno if I think he did it or not, but the crown case never looked anything more than feeble.

If the rumours that PaulNZ refer to are correct then I can see (now) why they might have been confident. I am wondering when this witness backtracked, or at least if they did have some solid evidence but later found that they could not use it in court why they could not have stopped the trial.... Guess this is the real world not TV

**GTRMAN** · 3rd July 2012, 18:24

I guess the thing is that the crown had to prove 'beyond a reasonable doubt' that he was guilty. The jury felt that they didn't do that.

That is not the same as being found innocent.

But none of us were in in the court room hearing all the evidence, we saw and heard what the media wanted to show us, generally with a heap of slant on it.

I feel for the two sisters, both of their lives are stuffed. How do you continue with a man who has been tried for killing your sisters husband? There is no happy ending for anyone here...

**tigertim20** · 3rd July 2012, 18:41

Originally Posted by Paul in NZ

So he didn't quite get off Scott free then?

Ah hem...

I think the Police got it right but if half the shit I've heard is true they were tripped up at the last minute by a bombshell witness who decided not to testify. That would have provided plenty of motive.

I have friends in the legal community, the rumour there was that the dude was having a homosexual relationship, mr guy found out and said, if yyou dont tell your wife, I will, so he shot him. tis but a rumour though

Originally Posted by Quasievil

You follow alot of stuff you dont know fuck all about then make Judgements so no surprise there toolhead

awww waaaaaahhh. Id love to have a battle of wits with you, but you appear to be unarmed, and my mother told me its not nice to pick on retards.
p.s. will qmoto gear actually have triple stitching now that its not being run by an incompetent brainless cunt? Hope so - no doubt theyll make more money that your ego and attitude ever allowed you to!

**Crasherfromwayback** · 3rd July 2012, 18:45

Originally Posted by tigertim20

, the rumour there was that the dude was having a homosexual relationship, . tis but !

I see what you did there!

**merv** · 3rd July 2012, 19:07

I think Mrs merv is right, they can retrial now with new evidence as per this section of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/p...resel_25_h&p=1

**Hitcher** · 3rd July 2012, 19:25

Originally Posted by superman

so hopefully while he's away the Crown can find some better evidence.

I think you'll find that most countries' justice systems don't work that way, including New Zealand's.

**Hitcher** · 3rd July 2012, 19:26

Originally Posted by merv

"Not Guilty" means he can't be tried again doesn't it even if new evidence comes to light?

Indeed Merv.

**Hitcher** · 3rd July 2012, 19:33

Originally Posted by merv

I think Mrs merv is right, they can retrial now with new evidence as per this section of the Criminal Procedure Act 2011 http://www.legislation.govt.nz/act/p...resel_25_h&p=1

One should sometimes start reading threads from the bottom up.

**gsxr** · 3rd July 2012, 19:40

Or ????

Section 26 of the Bill of Rights Act is as follows:

Retroactive offences and double jeopardy

No one shall be liable to conviction of any offence on account of any act or omission which did not constitute an offence by such person under the law of New Zealand at the time it occurred.
No one who has been finally acquitted or convicted of, or pardoned for, an offence shall be tried or punished for it again.

**gsxr** · 3rd July 2012, 19:41

Source

http://www.justice.govt.nz/publicati...ouble-jeopardy

**Flip** · 3rd July 2012, 19:42

I think that what ever the jury came up with it was the right decision.

This tryal by media stuff really pisses me off.

No matter what comes up later its still the right decision at the time. Fuck TVNZ!

**short-circuit** · 3rd July 2012, 19:46

Originally Posted by tigertim20

I have friends in the legal community, the rumour there was that the dude was having a homosexual relationship, mr guy found out and said, if yyou dont tell your wife, I will, so he shot him. tis but a rumour though

This is what I heard too (friends in the journo community)