Private case against Crown witnesses

Press, 8 May 1980, Page 2

Private case against Crown witnesses

PA Auckland Private prosecutions for murder will be brought against the two Crown witnesses who testified in the trial of Brian Ronald McDonald for the Mainstreet Cabaret killing of Margaret Bell, aged 17. A jury at the High Court at Auckland on Tuesday evening convicted McDonald of the murder of Miss Bell but the jury added that it found him guilty on the basis that he was “a participant with others.” Counsel for McDonald, (Mr B. Hart) said the verdict meant that the jury was not satisfied that McDonald fired the .22 high velocitv bullet which killed Miss Bell. He said McDonald had instructed him to appeal against the verdict and that he would also bring private prosecutions on behalf of McDonald against Gary O’Connor and Bruce Speck. The two were given immunity from prosecution by the Crown.

After the jur/s foreman had added the rider to its verdict on Tuesday evening, Mr Justice Prichard said: “Mr Foreman, I agree with that.” •

Mr Hart asked his Honour to seek clarification of the verdict and whether it meant the jury found McDonald was not the <principal offender. His Honour said that the matter needed to go no further than the jury’s rider. Asked if he had anything to say before being sentenced, McDonald, who had stood quietly in the dock, said: “No, I only wish to reiterate that I did not shoot Margaret Bell.”

He was sentenced to life imprisonment.