The New Zealand Law Society is investigating a complaint over
the way a former top barrister and prosecutor was treated in
the Auckland District Court this week.
David Lloyd-Barker wrote to the society's legal standards
officer, Paul Byers, complaining that ex-Serious Fraud Office
chief prosecutor Anita Killeen was never made to enter the
dock, sat alongside her QC Paul Davison and was never made to
stand when being sentenced.
Mr Davison asked Judge Mary Beth Sharp in advance if the
defendant could sit beside him, rather than in the dock.
The judge indicated she would allow Killeen to be seated in
the area usually reserved for counsel and to be alongside her
QC as he made pre-sentencing submissions on her behalf.
No discussion was held about her moving when it came time for
the sentence to be handed down.
Mr Davison said little seating room was available in that
court and he had seen other similar cases.
"I've had the same with other clients. It's a matter entirely
for the presiding judge. It's not unusual for an accused
person not to be required to go into the dock during
sentencing."
But Mr Lloyd-Barker said he was unhappy with what he had seen
in court when Killeen was discharged without conviction after
she pleaded guilty to forgery charges which carry three- and
10-year jail sentences.
Adam Feeley, ex-chief executive of the Serious Fraud Office,
also expressed surprise about her treatment, saying New
Zealand had a legal system but not a justice system.
Mr Feeley said he had also spoken to police after the
sentencing about how matters unfolded.
"These are not pleasantries normally afforded to people who
commit crime. She didn't have to plead," he said, complaining
that Mr Davison had instead pleaded on her behalf.
Under a section of the Sentencing Act, Killeen was acquitted,
even though she pleaded guilty to both forgery charges. A
sentencing indication hearing was held in October but all
aspects were suppressed.
Mr Lloyd-Barker questioned the procedures followed this week.
"Ms Killeen was invited to sit next to her counsel at the
table. I have never seen this happen before," he told Mr
Byers.
"Secondly, Judge Sharp said Ms Killeen could be seated until
she was actually sentenced. ... I do not understand why Ms
Killeen was allowed to avoid standing or even sitting in the
dock like every other prisoner," he complained.
He also admitted he had a personal interest, saying he had
been general manager of the Auckland SPCA but was made
redundant at a time when Killeen was on the board.
- Anne Gibson of the New Zealand Herald
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