Weatherston has 'done NZ a favour'

A respected former detective says the Clayton Weatherston trial has done New Zealand a favour, by opening the public's eyes to what goes on in court.

Retired Detective Inspector Graham Bell says he was furious at the antics of the Otago University tutor, trying to escape conviction for the murder of Sophie Elliott in the High Court at Christchurch.

But he thinks it is time people woke up to the tactics being used by defendants, even when they are blatantly guilty.

Graham Bell says defence teams get away with maligning and intimidating prosecution witnesses every day, and the judges just let it happen.

He says courts do not allow the same amount of latitude to the prosecution.

- NEWSTALK ZB