A convicted sexual offender has failed to have an independent lawyer appointed to investigate alleged misconduct by a juror during his trial.
Thomas Hogan Parker was found guilty by a majority verdict in the Whangarei District Court earlier this year on one charge of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection.
The jury retired at 1.05pm and after coming back to court with two questions, including directions on a majority verdict, delivered their verdict at 6.25pm.
At 8.46pm the same day, Parker's lawyer Arthur Fairley received an email from a jury member.
The juror wrote: "I was the one juror who voted not guilty. I am so shocked by what went on in the jury room towards the day I feel I have no choice but to contact you directly.