FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

13 October 2013

David Bain: Counter Spin

Media Release from Counterspin:

The People vs Joe Karam

The defamation trial of Joe Karam vs Parker and Purkiss to be held at the High Court in Auckland starts properly on 15 October 2013 with the first day, 14 October being closed from the media for the purpose of conducting pre-trial hearings.

Parker and Purkiss have their own David and Goliath situation happening in that they are self-representing against the very experienced Peter McKnight from Wellington.  Admissibility rules have whittled down their number of witnesses to only a handful.  However the key evidence remains the same, and they look forward to a challenging hearing.

To repeat, the trial proper is not starting until 15 October and not 14 October as previously indicated.

ENDS

© Scoop Media

Gordon Campbell:
On What John Banks And Nick Smith Have In Common

The defence that John Banks has been offering to the charges of electoral fraud – that he didn’t read the document he signed, and therefore lacked the necessary criminal intent – is a fairly standard example of political business as usual.

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Being able to put distance between the Minister and the actions/outcomes/political fallout of policy is not simply the last desperate resort of scoundrels, but the first resort of the foot soldiers in ministerial service... More>>