The police watchdog has confirmed it is investigating errors that led to a miscarriage of justice for four people who collectively spent more than four decades in prison.
Earlier this month, the Court of Appeal quashed murder and rape convictions for Stephen Stone and acquitted his co-accused, Gail Maney, as well as Colin Maney and Mark Henriksen.
The Independent Police Conduct Authority (IPCA) launched an investigation after the police notified it about the case.
Yesterday, Stephen Stone was released on bail after 26 years in jail for the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens. He may still face a retrial.
The wait for justice isn’t over for Gail Maney, Stephen Stone and two others, Cushla Norman reports. (Source: 1News)
The Court of Appeal found the police failed to disclose significant information in the 1999 trial and 2000 retrial, leading to a miscarriage of justice.
Two of the four key crown witnesses have since recanted their evidence, with major question marks remaining over the reliability of the other two.
During the 1999 trial, then detective-in-charge Mark Franklin assured the court that there had been no cross-contamination of witness accounts.
Maney was acquitted of the murder of Deane Fuller-Sandys at the Court of Appeal in Wellington yesterday, having spent 15 years in prison. (Source: Breakfast)
But it’s since been revealed he sent an interview transcript for one witness to the lawyer for a second witness.
The Appeal Court said it harboured “deep misgivings” about Detective Franklin’s conduct. It said his failure to disclose communications was “particularly egregious” because it undermined earlier assurances.
IPCA’s manager of investigations, Emma Bunny, said the authority would make no further comment until its public report was issued.