New Zealand / Court

Justice review body set to refer third case back to court soon

05:35 am on 26 January 2024

(file image) Photo: RNZ / Dan Cook

The watchdog investigating potential miscarriages of justice expects to refer its third case back to the courts within weeks.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission was established in 2020 and made its first referral two years later.

The second came last month, after the commission found problems with the investigation and trial of a man convicted for rape and murder in 1995.

The agency has a target of completing five in-depth investigations, known as section 25 investigations, by the end of June.

Chief executive Parekawhia McLean said she was confident that goal would be met.

"We have another referral to be announced before the end of this month, around about the end of this month, and then we also have a couple of others that will be coming through back to the commission over the next couple of months, certainly before the end of this financial year."

McLean acknowledged the target was much higher than the previous year's referrals, but said the agency was now established and had streamlined some processes.

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