New Zealand Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

New Zealand Case Law

Background/narrative evidence
  • 26 Apr 2018

    R v UTATAO [2018] NZHC 802

    Citation
    [2018] NZHC 802
    Court
    High Court

    The court admitted the letter as the defendant's statement under s27 Evidence Act 2006 because it was given to the court with no confidentiality condition and was not improperly obtained; evidence and photographs of prior injuries were admissible as background/narrative to explain the relationship and conduct, but were not admissible as propensity evidence at this stage because their detailed probative value could not yet be assessed and any propensity application can be renewed at the close of the Crown's case; directions and handling of exhibits (photographs kept separate from the initial j…