Swedish backpacker case: Flaws don't mean Tamihere conviction unfair
Photo:
RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
A Crown lawyer says
the irregularities in the trial of convicted double murder David Tamihere
do not mean it was unfair.
The last day of Tamihere's Supreme Court appeal is underway in the High Court at Auckland on Wednesday morning.
His lawyers are appealing an earlier Court of Appeal ruling that found a miscarriage of justice but upheld his convictions for murdering Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen.
The couple disappeared while tramping in dense bush in the Coromandel Peninsula in 1989.
The Crown resumed its submissions today, with lawyer Rebecca Thomson building up their argument Tamihere must have committed the murders.
Chief Justice Dame Helen Winkelman sits alongside other Chief Justices.
Photo:
POOL/Stuff
She took the five-judge panel through irregularities of Tamihere's original trial.
"There were some," Thomson said.
"But none of them reach the standard of it being an unfair trial."
Thomson said it was a series of very lucky breaks that led to Tamihere's capture by police.
Supreme Court judge Sir Stephen Kós questioned the way the Crown characterised Tamihere's actions, including if he stole the couple's car, something he had previously admitted.
"It's idiocy on either account isn't it?" he said.
"Either he's an idiotic murderer who drives around in the victims' car, when the victims, or at least one of them, hasn't been adequately concealed, so that's pretty stupid.
"Or he's an idiotic car thief, as opposed to an idiotic murderer, who drives the car around the very area the people are likely to emerge from the bush and make a complaint."
Swedish tourists Urban Höglin and Heidi Paakkonen were killed in the Coromandel in 1989.
Photo:
Supplied
Tamihere served more than 20 years of a life sentence in prison before being released on parole in 2010.
He denies even meeting the couple, and questions have lingered regarding his convictions.
In 2020 the then Governor General granted Tamihere a rare Royal Prerogative of Mercy, on advice from former Justice Minister Andrew Little.
The case was referred to the Court of Appeal to rule on whether there might have been a miscarriage of justice.
It found, in July last year, there was - but
upheld Tamihere's murder convictions
because there was evidence beyond reasonable doubt he murdered the tourists.
This is what the Supreme Court has been hearing submissions on for the past two days.
More to come
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- RNZ News
Urgent search underway for Auckland woman with dementia missing from a care centre
Linda, who goes by her middle name Anne, went missing from a care centre in Mt Albert. Photo: NZ Police / SUPPLIED A search is underway in Auckland for a woman with dementia who went missing from a care centre in Mt Albert. Police said they were seeking help from the public to find Linda, who goes by her middle name Anne. She was last seen on Allendale Rd in Mt Albert about 11.30am on Wednesday. "Anne has dementia and police and her family are concerned for her welfare," a police spokesperson said. She was last seen wearing black pants, grey mid-calf Uggs, a cream hoodie and pink shirt underneath. Anne was seen on CCTV shortly before she disappeared. Photo: NZ Police / SUPPLIED "If you see Anne, please call police on 111 and use the reference number 250820/8221." Information could also be reported via the police phone number 105. Anne's son made a plea for help finding his mum on social media, and described her as being 155cm, of small build with a brown/blonde long ponytail. He said she had no phone, wallet or keys with her. "She may be heading towards familiar places such as Howick, the central city, Point Chev or just sitting in a park," his post said. "Every minute counts." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
10 hours ago
- RNZ News
Bus and motorbike collide in central Auckland
The crash happened at the intersection of Fanshawe St and Hobson St in central Auckland. Photo: LUCY XIA / RNZ A bus and a motorcycle have collided at a central Auckland intersection. The crash, involving an Auckland Transport bus, happened at the intersection of Fanshawe St and Hobson St shortly before 6pm on Wednesday. No serious injuries had been reported, a police spokesperson said, but ambulance staff were at the scene assessing people. The circumstances surrounding the crash would be investigated by police. By 6.30pm the road was open, and police could be seen talking to people beside the bus which was pulled on to the side of the road. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Remand prisoner climbs roof at Otago Corrections Facility
The remand prisoner accessed the roof of a unit at Otago Corrections Facility near Milton. Photo: Otago Daily Times / Stephen Jaquiery Corrections staff are talking with a prisoner who has been on the roof of an Otago prison for more than four hours. The remand prisoner accessed the roof of a unit at Otago Corrections Facility near Milton about 12.45pm on Wednesday. Otago Corrections Facility general manager Dave Miller said the area was contained and within the secure perimeter of the prison grounds. "Staff responded immediately to contain the incident and are currently talking to the man," he said. "There is no threat to the wider security of the prison and no threat to public safety." Fire and Emergency was on site as a precaution given the prisoner was at height, Miller said. Police had offered assistance if required.
