Hemara had been charged with being involved in fatally shooting Macdonald in March 2016, but the charge was downgraded before being dismissed. Hemara drove to his ex-partner’s house, where she and their three children were, asking for a place to stay. She let him sleep on the couch, but told him to leave after he got into her bed and tried to cuddle her. He responded by getting on top of her and punching her multiple times. She managed to grab her phone and flee, only going back in the house after he left. But she later heard a smash before Hemara once again attacked her.
STUFF
The charge against Joseph William Johnson of murdering Palmiro MacDonald, was dismissed at the High Court in Wellington, after the Crown said it could not be sure Johnson would get a fair trial. Section 64 of the Evidence Act covers the right of an “informer” – a person, including an undercover police officer, suppling information who can expect to remain anonymous – not to be identified.
Stuff applied for any documents relating to the decision to drop the murder charge against Johnson. Justice Rebecca Ellis allowed the release in December of her minute confirming why Johnson’s charge was dropped on the eve of his October retrial.