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.