Title: Police Comment On Teina Pora Conviction

Attribute to Assistant Commissioner (Investigations) Malcolm Burgess:

The evidence against Teina Pora for the 1992 rape and murder of Susan Burdett has been heard by two juries - the original trial in 1994 and at retrial ordered by the Court of Appeal in 2000.

Both juries were satisfied that the evidence established, beyond reasonable doubt, that Mr Pora was guilty. He was convicted on both occasions.

Mr Pora's advisers have recorded their concern against these convictions and indicated an intention to have that concern addressed through an appeal to the Governor General.

Police will not discuss the merits of the case through the media or re-litigate aspects of evidence already considered by two juries while this process is pending.

Police will however continue to cooperate fully with any lawful requests made for information in relation to this case. Since 2010 a large amount of information has been provided to Mr Pora and his advisers. This is in addition to the original disclosure of the Crown evidence for Mr Pora's trials.

ENDS

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