New Zealand Case Law: Decisions & Judgments | LexChat

New Zealand Case Law

Summings-up

  • 22 Feb 2022

    RAYMOND ARANUI v R [2022] NZCA 25

    Citation
    [2022] NZCA 25
    Court
    Court of Appeal

    The hearsay statements recorded by the police officer were properly admitted because the circumstances (prompt recording, coherence, partial corroboration and officer impartiality) provided reasonable assurance of reliability; the trial judge's summing-up adequately conveyed the defence case and cautioned the jury to decide weight and credibility; with the hearsay admitted there was sufficient evidence for a verdict beyond reasonable doubt, so no miscarriage occurred and the appeal is dismissed.

  • 14 Apr 2021

    VENOD SKANTHA v R [2021] NZCA 117

    Citation
    [2021] NZCA 117
    Court
    Court of Appeal

    The Court dismissed the appeal: the trial Judge did not err in declining an accomplice/reliability warning because W's reliability was a central, obvious issue to the jury; propensity evidence was admissible and relevant to motive and was properly managed and cautioned against unfair prejudice; exclusion of specific hearsay was correct on reliability grounds and would not have affected the outcome; lies and demeanour directions were orthodox and not prejudicial; cumulatively there was no real risk of a different outcome and convictions were upheld.

  • 5 May 2016

    HUTCHINS V R [2016] NZCA 173

    Citation
    [2016] NZCA 173
    Court
    Court of Appeal

    Any minor errors or less‑than‑ideal formulations in the trial Judge's summing‑up did not create a real risk of miscarriage of justice when the directions are read as a whole; the jury could properly apply the correct legal standards on burden, reasonable doubt and inferences, the defence case was sufficiently identified, and the seven year sentence fell within the appropriate band and was not manifestly excessive.