The Trial

By: Stuff Audio
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  • Summary

  • NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley. Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright. WARNING: This series talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.
    © Stuff 2023
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Episodes
  • Benbow trailer

    Benbow trailer
    Mar 24 2023
    In May 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared - almost without trace. No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body was ever found. So how could his longtime friend be arrested and charged with murder? In February 2023, the trial of David Charles Benbow finally began. Benbow stood accused of murdering McGrath because he’d started a relationship with Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green. The prosecution said that, while based entirely on circumstantial evidence, its case was so comprehensive there could be no doubt Benbow was guilty. The defence said detectives were biased, working hard to build a case against Benbow after he was identified as a prime suspect - by Green. Stuff, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts (Black Hands, The Commune, Gone Fishing) presents The Trial. Journalists from the Christchurch Press newsroom spent weeks at the High Court and pored over hundreds of hours of recordings to create a compelling and in-depth insight into New Zealand’s criminal justice system. Hear the evidence. Follow the twists and turns. Wait - for the verdict. WARNING: This series contains some strong language and content that may upset some people. For full written coverage of the trial from The Press newsroom in Christchurch, visit stuff.co.nz. Need more great true crime podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. CREDITS Scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright Sound design, audio editing and mixing by Connor Scott Visual design: Kathryn George Associate producer: Jen Black Consulting producer: Adam Dudding Legal checks: Genevieve O'Halloran and Courtney Grenfell Executive producer: Chris Reed Special thanks: Kamala Hayman, Martin van Beynen and Jake Kenny from The Press newsroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    2 mins
  • Benbow E1: The disappearance of Michael McGrath

    Benbow E1: The disappearance of Michael McGrath
    Mar 29 2023
    When Michael McGrath started looking less scruffy, his friends started talking. When he failed to show for his weekly dinner with his mum, his new partner, Joanna Green, called the police, kickstarting an investigation that took six years to reach court. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and three other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    34 mins
  • Benbow E2: The love triangle

    Benbow E2: The love triangle
    Mar 29 2023
    One relationship faltered and another blossomed. Police argued that was a motive for murder. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this episode. For an ad-free experience go to listen.stuff.co.nz/truecrime to get access to this and three other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free, for about the price of a cup of coffee… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    39 mins

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Profile Image for Anonymous User

he is innocent

he is innocent yes till evidence-says otherwise
he is innocent, innocent i say.yes..innocent. please.
no mote to say really

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