Chief Justice reserves decision in Wallace case

Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias today reserved her decision in the private murder prosecution against the police officer who shot Waitara man Steven Wallace two years ago.

Much of the hearing in the High Court at New Plymouth was taken up with technical discussion of points of law and issues of relevancy.

Today Justice Elias said she wanted to take time to consider her decision, and would deliver it in writing in the near future.

After the depositions into the private prosecution in February, two JPs discharged the officer, Constable Keith Abbott, deciding he shot Mr Wallace in self-defence and followed police policy.

John Rowan, representing the Wallace family, argued the JPs overstepped their responsibility and a jury should hear the case.

Mr Wallace, 23, died on April 30, 2000, after being shot in the early hours while rampaging through Waitara streets.

A police investigation, reviewed by the Solicitor-General, cleared the officer of any wrongdoing, but this finding has not been accepted by Mr Wallace's family.

Last September Mr Wallace's father, Jim Wallace, laid a private murder prosecution against the officer, the first of its kind in New Zealand.

- NZPA