In May 2017, 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared, almost without trace. No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body was ever found. So how could his longtime friend be arrested and charged with murder? In February 2023, the trial of David Charles Benbow finally began. Benbow stood accused of murdering McGrath because he’d started a relationship with Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green. The prosecution said that, while based entirely on circumstantial evidence, its case was so comprehensive there could be no doubt Benbow was guilty. The defence said detectives were biased, working hard to build a case against Benbow after he was identified as a prime suspect - by Green. Stuff, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts (Black Hands, The Commune, Gone Fishing) presents The Trial. Journalists from The Press newsroom in Christchurch spent weeks at the High Court and pored over hundreds of hours of recordings to create a compelling and in-depth insight into New Zealand’s criminal justice system. Hear the evidence. Follow the twists and turns. Wait - for the verdict...
https://listen.stuff.co.nz/thetrialnz
Gesamtlänge aller Episoden: 5 hours 34 minutes
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Benbow's new legal battle
There’s another twist in this trial. Stay subscribed to hear the latest developments.
'I despise you': the victims speak
Almost seven years after murdering his mate Michael McGrath, David Benbow is sentenced for his crime.
An Exciting Update
The verdict is in - The Trial is an international hit. We've just received some end-of-year accolades from Apple Podcasts, being named as the #1 True Crime podcast in Australia and New Zealand and the #2 new show overall. We just wanted to say a huge thanks for listening and helping us achieve this recognition. You can read more about it here. The Trial is brought to you from the newsroom of The Press in Christchurch. You can hear more podcasts from The Press and the wider Stuff team here...
episode 8: Episode 8: Resolution
After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict.
episode 7: Episode 7: The retrial of David Benbow
Three key areas of evidence are updated as the prosecution tries once more to secure a guilty verdict.
From Newsable: The Mama Hooch sentencing
Two brothers who drugged or committed sexual offences against 23 young patrons at Christchurch bar Mama Hooch have been sentenced in the District Court.
Newsable: The implications of the Lauren Dickason trial
The case highlighted some issues we don’t discuss much in New Zealand - the mental health of mothers, for example.
episode 6: Episode 6: Not quite the end
After listening intently to more than 100 witnessess, the jury left the courtroom to deliberate. But the trial still held a twist or two.
episode 5: Episode 5: 'Did you do it?'
As the investigation intensified, David Benbow's behaviour prompted questions from close friends, but the defence dismisses the Crown case as hollow, "like a cheap Easter egg".
episode 4: Episode 4: The burden of proof
The prosecution makes much of David Benbow's inability to fully account for his movements on the day he allegedly murdered Michael McGrath. But Benbow's defence team underlines one key fact: there is no physical evidence he did anything wrong.
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