By PAULA OLIVER
Kidnapping accused John Burrett yesterday reacted with shock when police told a court that they intended to call 112 witnesses at his depositions hearing.
Burrett, 52, a lawyer, has discharged his lawyer and is representing himself on charges relating to an attempt to kidnap an unnamed Wellington businessman.
In
the Upper Hutt District Court yesterday, Burrett told Judge John Walker that he was concerned at the level of police disclosure of statements and briefs of evidence from witnesses.
He needed the information to prepare a defence, and if there were 112 witnesses, "There was a lot of work to be done".
"This is a huge shock to everyone in the court today, that there are 112 witnesses," Burrett said.
"I've not seen a brief of evidence or anything like that."
Burrett told the court he was also waiting to listen to tapes in police possession. Judge Walker said arrangements were being made for Burrett to hear the tapes.
Burrett's stepson Simon Jonathon Phillpott, 24, a builder, and nephew Matthew Norman Payne, 21, unemployed, also face charges of conspiring to kidnap.
The three stood together in the dock yesterday.
Judge Walker said he understood Burrett's concern with disclosure, and he would monitor the situation.
But a depositions hearing needed to be scheduled and the first day that resources and a judge were available was October 29.
If that date was not taken up, the hearing might have to be held over until next year.
That was not fair on the defendants.
The depositions hearing was set for October 29, and is expected to take three weeks.
Burrett and Payne, who have refused consent to be held in custody, were remanded until October 1.
The other accused, Phillpott, was remanded in custody until October 29.
