Body intact, police look for shovel
WELLINGTON: The body of the British backpacker Grace Millane was intact when it was discovered in bush at the Waitakere Ranges on Sunday.
Police Detective Inspector Scott Beard said this information was being revealed with reluctance, because of public speculation.
He said police investigating the death were looking for a shovel that could be anywhere between Scenic Dr and central Auckland.
It is an Atlas Trade hardwood long handle round mouth shovel.
The 26year old man accused of murdering Miss Millane appeared in the Auckland Dis trict Court yesterday and has interim name suppression.
Meanwhile, the Justice Minister said British media were undermining the judicial process by publishing suppressed details of the man.
Andrew Little said the overseas media’s actions were ‘‘hurt ful’’ towards the Millane family when the defence counsel was looking for every opportunity to force a mistrial.
Mr Little said it was one thing for an innocent person to go to trial but it was equally unjust if a guilty person got to walk free because the justice system had failed.
‘‘It will not do justice to the Millane family if the accused in this case gets to walk away from facing justice because somebody else has disclosed his details and he is able to say he won’t get a fair trial.
‘‘That’s why we have suppression rules — like them or not’’, he said.
The actions of the overseas media, and whoever had furnished them with details was ‘‘unfortunate’’ Mr Little said.
He said while the internet was ‘‘one thing’’, ensuring a fair trail was another.
‘‘If we want to make sure the police, the meticulous work in putting together the case, to prove beyond reasonable doubt isn’t in vain, we’ve got to make sure people get a fair trial.’’
There was nothing New Zealand authorities could do to stop media overseas from publishing suppressed information, Mr Little said.
‘‘What we can do, and need to do is to act as tightly as we can here. This is where the trial will take place.’’
Mr Little said he would attend a vigil in Wellington tonight night if his diary allowed.
National leader Simon Bridges said he understood the need for name supression, especially in the early days of an arrest.
He said that gave time for the person charged to organise their own affairs, but it also meant the job for police was easier as it lessened the risk the ‘‘well would be poisoned’’ when the police were conducting witness interviews.
But he said if a reasonable change to suppression laws was presented to the National Party, that was something he would consider. — RNZ