A retrial has been ordered for Peter Lloyd Machirus in the seven-week Operation Rhino crime ring trial.
The Court of Appeal has suppressed all the reasons for the decision, which was announced today in Wellington.
Three people were convicted when the jury returned its verdicts on 109 charges on September 13, 2007.
Vincent James Clayton was convicted on 34 receiving charges and found not guilty on 14. Although he defended himself, his legal adviser in court was Jeff McCall.
Peter Lloyd Machirus, who defended himself, was convicted on 20 receiving charges and found not guilty on 42.
Linda Joyce Westbury was found guilty on nine charges of receiving, and eventually received a community work sentence while the two men were jailed.
Clayton and Westbury may also now be able to apply for the retrial.
Several other people were acquitted or pleaded guilty during the long trial before Christchurch District Court Judge Michael Crosbie and a jury.
Bail is expected to be considered for the two men pending a retrial.
During the trial, the Crown alleged the crime ring had targeted mainly new houses under construction and stripped them of appliances and fittings. The police alleged the ring hit 70 houses and caused property losses of $300,000.
