Police officer's testimony questioned in Dotcom case

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Police testimony questioned in Dotcom case

3News NZ

Kim Dotcom

Kim Dotcom

By Ingrid Hipkiss

The Dotcom saga was back in court today, with lawyers for the internet millionaire questioning the testimony of a top police officer.

The inspector in charge of the raid on Dotcom's mansion was accused of giving evidence that was inconsistent with the truth.

Kim Dotcom was still confident justice would prevail as he arrived at court today.

“The courts in New Zealand – they are dealing with lies, cover ups and fake stories on a daily basis and they will see straight through this,” he said.

But even the court's getting frustrated.

“It’s taking an awfully long time and it isn't proceeding in a coherent fashion,” said Justice Helen Winkelmann.

The latest twist in the case has been the revelation of secret and illegal surveillance on Dotcom carried out by New Zealand's external spy agency – the GCSB.

Dotcom’s lawyer Paul Davison, QC today addressed the fact that the officer in charge of the raid – Detective Inspector Grant Wormald – previously denied under oath that Dotcom was under surveillance by anyone other than police.

“There are some very grave and significant implications arising from the inconsistency,” says Mr Davison.

Mr Wormald has since filed papers saying he was mistaken in his evidence, but there's no explanation as to how the Government's spies missed the fact Dotcom was a New Zealand resident, and thus off-limits.

Dotcom’s lawyers are suspicious that evidence is being kept secret under the guise of national security.

“Enough is enough is enough,” says Mr Davison.

The court will now select an independent person to wade through all the evidence and decide what should be handed over to Dotcom's lawyers.

All that evidence will be used to decide whether the police raid was reasonable, or as Dotcom claims, unreasonable.

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Comments

27/09/2012 3:26:49 a.m.

Henry wrote:

It's official. ECHELON has been used against a New Zealand resident. We should be rioting in the streets over this, regardless of your views on the man himself.

26/09/2012 11:55:48 p.m.

zac wrote:

This is just getting better and better for the police and their current political masters, inst it? 'inconsistent with the truth' - I love it!

26/09/2012 11:24:04 p.m.

dennis wrote:

Barack Obama addressed the UN on free speech last night. He could learn a lot from New Zealanders. He spoke well, and convincingly, as does the Member for Coatesville, ah, Hobsonville. But he wouldn't last one round against David Lange. There is free speech and free speech! If people are protesting to the result in deaths occurring, them "the character of your argument, Sir, I find regrettable". Did his ultimate support of the argument gain WikiLeaks.org founder a medal, such as that given to the Solicitor-General of Hong Kong for his assistance to the cause of freedom of information

26/09/2012 10:51:18 p.m.

dennis wrote:

"Winkelmann also staunchly considers it is every judge's right to routinely suppress the open public function of their actions and rulings. All these traits were instrumental in Winkelmann's peers supporting her promotion to Head of the High Court Bench in 2009, where culling from the front of the herd and promoting from the weakest ensures survival of the unscrupulous" [kiwisfirst.com]

26/09/2012 10:43:35 p.m.

dennis wrote:

"Police Minister Anne Tolley has stonewalled reporters asking about what's been described as inconsistent evidence given by a senior policeman to the High Court" [RNZ news]

26/09/2012 10:23:23 p.m.

dennis wrote:

"Mr Wormald has since filed papers saying he was mistaken in his evidence" It doesn't work like that. The "mistake" was made in the High Court. The "explanation" without the aid of the Crown Solicitor, has to be in open Court. The solicitor may not "aid and abet" criminal action (as he has conversely alleged Megaupload directors and staff have done). Not one, but two criminal offenders now. Lawyers are neither exempt from nor above, nor around the corner of, New Zealand Law

26/09/2012 8:33:04 p.m.

Ruz wrote:

I think the words of Dotcom “The courts in New Zealand – they are dealing with lies, cover ups and fake stories on a daily basis and they will see straight through this,” are pretty much in line with what the public of NZ thinks. When the ineptitude of the NZ Police and friends is exposed it is not a pretty sight. One day the Dotcom story will make a great movie.