Hard News by Russell Brown

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Hard News: Angry and thrilled about Arie

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  • Richard Christie,

    C'mon guys, all the police actions were completely justified, if you don't believe me just ask Gregg O'Connor .

    Since Jul 2011 • 4 posts Report

  • asnz, in reply to izogi,

    Arie’s original lawyer, Simon Buckingham, intimated that Arie supported Police in general and was not looking to gain further attention for himself.
    Arie, in the Sunday report, stated that… “coz of the punishment what I got I’m even too scared to go out” and “I don’t ever want to go to jail. It was terrifying” (Arie – suggesting why he was not up to making a complaint against Police.
    Last night Arie referred to being punched in the back of the head. Michael, his partner, referred to Arie being elbowed in the eye.
    [Enough for any citizen or resident to lay complaints with the IPCA, Human Rights, Police, and the appropriate Minister’s?]

    A set of notes on the programme is here on Facebook.

    Upper Hutt, New Zealand • Since Jul 2011 • 8 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    That was a truly sympathetic and persuasive piece. But, did TVNZ cross a line in interviewing basically all the participants but the police in a pending trial?

    I think all they could get from the police was a repeated statement about the "seriousness" of the charge. They definitely went to the cops for comment.

    And yes, it could be seen as sub judice, but given the highly unusual nature of the case, the repeated remands and the extraordinary behaviour of the police from the very beginning -- the "perp walk" staged for the cameras was outrageous -- there's a strong and obvious public interest element in reporting it.

    Anyway, according to Sean Plunket, the police are now proceeding with an investigation into the Sunday programme, at the expense of the taxpayer.

    Plunket says the police statement on it was something vague about it being "in relation to dealings with parties" in the case.

    I'm just wondering how far they really want to dig themselves in here.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Andre Alessi,

    * – What’s the non-abelist word for “crippling” in this context? My internal thesaurus is momentarily offline.

    This is not somewhere where you’ll be reproached for using English. It’s a perfectly good language, full of useful imagery and well-understood phrases.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • asnz, in reply to izogi,

    Screw 'em, Bayonet 'em, either way the light bulb gets the juice... and we get to empathise with your equal frustration at Police sinisterisms

    Upper Hutt, New Zealand • Since Jul 2011 • 8 posts Report

  • asnz,

    Dear John Key,

    It's high time a good old-fashioned light bulb or two went ON down at Police National HQ. I know of a guy, Arie Smith, who would have kindly given them a couple for nix. Nice bloke.

    But Police bashed him and took the bulbs off of him. Theft of his treasure - the previous owners were happy for him to have them! Still if you could get them back, I am sure Arie, being the type of guy he is, would gracefully share them with the charlies in Group Legal Services up the road in Molesworth Street.

    Ta,

    All of us Aspies.

    P.S. Thanks for the nifty hand with the Emma Swenson Case.

    Upper Hutt, New Zealand • Since Jul 2011 • 8 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to izogi,

    Hopefully the investigation Plunket cites is one into the allegations, and not into how the programme was able to go ahead when Police tried to stop it.

    It appears to be the latter, unfortunately.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Russell Brown,

    Here's the Herald story confirming the police's "criminal investigation" of the Sunday programme.

    I'm not sure I can think of anything to say that is civil.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Sacha, in reply to Russell Brown,

    This is not somewhere where you’ll be reproached for using English

    +1. The word seems to fit what you're using it for.

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report

  • Graeme Edgeler, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I think all they could get from the police was a repeated statement about the “seriousness” of the charge. They definitely went to the cops for comment.

    Well, burglary does carry a maximum sentence of 10 years' imprisonment.

    Wellington, New Zealand • Since Nov 2006 • 3215 posts Report

  • Murray Smith, in reply to Stephen Judd,

    Understandable concern Stephen, but when the very mechanisms designed to assure fairness and justice to the citizens of this country are crumbling under the weight of the corruption found in it's inner halls . . . what is left? Suppressing the freedom of the public and media from demanding accountability is a very dangerous road and only serves the purpose of the oppressor. Accountability is only something to be afraid of for those with something to hide.
    The actions of this guy Erasmus are extremely disturbing . . . taking a personal and no doubt intimidating approach to the building owners for the sole purpose of gagging the Media. I am extremely disturbed by this.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2011 • 3 posts Report

  • Craig Ranapia, in reply to Mark Rickerby,

    A big part of the problem may be the police fear that the public can’t handle the police making mistakes.

    I won't presume to speak for "the public", but I'm a damn sight more afraid of law enforcement who seem to regard any criticism, any question of their actions as intolerable. That's not only a terrible weakness of character, but in people who are given enormous power by the State it's dangerous.

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant, in reply to Russell Brown,

    I'm not sure I can think of anything to say that is civil.

    So say something uncivil. I think its more than justified.

    (And Craig is right. This response by police to those investigating their conduct is downright dangerous. Its the sort of thing that happens in shitty third-world dictatorships, not in a modern democracy).

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Russell Brown, in reply to Idiot Savant,

    So say something uncivil. I think its more than justified.

    Oh, it certainly is.

    But I might end up covering this story in the day job, and that would be more straightforward if I haven't called anyone a [redacted]. :-)

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report

  • Murray Smith,

    This is what concerns me most you see . . . this bullying and intimidation which makes citizens so afraid to stand up for fairness and justice. Mr Erasmus has only approached the building owners when the actions of the police came under scrutiny . . . to gain support from them and try to use them to gag the Media . . . in other words self-interest. Clearly this institution feels no need to be accountable for their actions and will bully and intimidate whomever they please. It's a trend which continues to gain momentum along with blatant lying being seen as simply a tactic in court. This should be deeply concerning to each and every citizen of this country

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2011 • 3 posts Report

  • izogi, in reply to asnz,

    Last night Arie referred to being punched in the back of the head. Michael, his partner, referred to Arie being elbowed in the eye.
    [Enough for any citizen or resident to lay complaints with the IPCA, Human Rights, Police, and the appropriate Minister’s?]

    I finally got the video to work (not sure how) and found that Arie and Michael are alleging that army personnel were directly involved in beating him during the arrest, even though the Police are in complete denial about this. I could only guess why either junior or senior Police might want to cover up this one, but presumably all the relevant court documents state that sworn New Zealand Police Officers were the only authorities involved?

    Maybe Police could just indicate how the injury occurred. Are they gagged by court processes?

    Wellington • Since Jan 2007 • 1142 posts Report

  • Idiot Savant, in reply to izogi,

    Maybe Police could just indicate how the injury occurred. Are they gagged by court processes?

    They're refusing to answer OIA requests because of them (which is fair enough insofar as it affects fair trial rights - but the rial rights in question are those of the thugs, and there's no suggestion that the police will prosecute them. In other words, the usual coverup).

    Palmerston North • Since Nov 2006 • 1717 posts Report

  • Stephen Judd, in reply to izogi,

    presumably all the relevant court documents state that sworn New Zealand Police Officers were the only authorities involved?

    Perhaps Inspector Erasmus is only concerned that Sunday ruined a pending perjury case... /me strains to be charitable

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 3122 posts Report

  • Kyhwana,

    Interesting how the Herald story says that michael was his "Friend"..

    Hamilton • Since Jul 2011 • 14 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Russell, I've just been back over the chronology of this situation and although your first HN post about Arie was on 7 March the posters on the thread are only dated an unhelpful 'four months ago' ,' three months ago' etc. Is there any way (since this will hopefully be archived) of putting a real date on posts?

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

  • Murray Smith, in reply to Greg Akehurst,

    Your post hit the spot Greg . . . the culture has long been the same. I reported an at-risk mentally ill youth to Police who immediately found him, bashed him, threw him to the ground and arrested him. Assault and bullying followed by lying in court is standard practice. The judiciary, the legal profession, and the politicians seem to think it's OK for some strange reason.

    Christchurch • Since Jul 2011 • 3 posts Report

  • Matthew Poole, in reply to Hilary Stace,

    Hover your mouse over the "x months ago" and you'll see the precise date/time of the posting.

    Auckland • Since Mar 2007 • 4097 posts Report

  • Heather Gaye, in reply to Kyhwana,

    In the Sunday piece, the journalist referred to Michael as Arie's partner, but Michael himself referred to Arie as his friend.

    Morningside • Since Nov 2006 • 533 posts Report

  • ChrisW, in reply to Matthew Poole,

    Hover your mouse over the "x months ago" and you'll see the precise date/time of the posting.

    Yes Hilary, there's a way round it, but it's inconvenient ain't it! Hence my request for return to plain NZ time display, and see subsequent support and discussion with suggestion for option of re-setting as 'x time units ago' as a personal preference for those who might want.

    Your thoughts, Russell?

    Gisborne • Since Apr 2009 • 851 posts Report

  • Hilary Stace,

    Thanks re the time. Hadn't noticed that.

    Wgtn • Since Jun 2008 • 3229 posts Report

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