Left to right: Birgit Brauer, inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, and accused Michael Scott Wallace.
Left to right: Birgit Brauer, inquiry head Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward, and accused Michael Scott Wallace.
KEY POINTS:
Rotarians have been barred from sitting on the jury hearing the murder trial of Michael Scott Wallace, which began in New Plymouth this morning.
Wallace, 45, is accused of murdering German hitchhiker Birgit Brauer, 28, at Lucy's Gully, southwest of New Plymouth, on September 20, 2005.
As juryselection got underway at about 10.30am, Justice Mark Cooper told the 60-strong jury panel they must declare membership of the organisation, if selected.
The request was made as Rotary had played a "prominent" part in paying the travel and accommodation costs for Ms Brauer's parents' to come to New Zealand, Justice Cooper said.
"It would be in the interests of the appearance of justice, and of providing a fair trial... if members of Rotary did not sit on the jury," he said.
One would-be juror was excused on account of his Rotary affiliations before eight women and four men were finally chosen, about 11.20am.
Wallace — who is represented by Susan Hughes — appeared in the High Court at New Plymouth clean-shaven, and wearing a grey tweed jacket and burgundy shirt.
He denied one charge of murder as it was put to him.
The Crown is expected to open its case later this morning, after opening remarks by Justice Cooper.
