Police barring access to prisoners, say lawyers

Press, 7 December 1987, Page 7

Police barring access to prisoners, say lawyers

PA Auckland Two Auckland lawyers will complain to the Minister of Justice, Mr Palmer, about alleged police obstruction of their legal right to see clients. The lawyers, Messrs Michael Levett and Barry Hart, said they had been repeatedly denied access to clients held in the Auckland Central and Otahuhu police cells. Their clients were two of six people arrested late last week and charged with conspiracy to import heroin. Their arrests stemmed from information uncovered during the investigation into the shotgun.murder of the Maramarua publican, Mr Chris Bush.

Mr Levett said last evening the police had sought to deprive his clients of legal advice. (He acts with Mr Hart for one, while he is to take instructions from the other.) “It is the sort of thing you read about in some countries which do not have a Western system of justice. “In this case the police have gone completely overboard,” said Mr Levett. “They have denied these people the only rights they have.” It was likely the pair were being “interrogated about some other offence.” Mr Levett said he believed Mr Palmer would

look into the matter, regardless' of whether a complaint was received. “It must be clear to the Minister that something is very seriously wrong.” Messrs Levett and Hart on Saturday applied to the High Court at Auckland for access to the two arrested men. An agreement was reached with the Crown solicitor, in the presence of Mr Justice Barker, that the lawyers would be allowed to take instructions from their clients. Mr Justice Barker, who had not considered it necessary to make a formal order, adjourned the application until tomorrow. Mr Levett said he had since met one of

the prisoners and would see the other this morning in the office of the South Auckland police commander, Chief Superintendent Brian Duncan. Mr Duncan confirmed the arrangement, , but refused to comment. Mr Levett dismissed police claims that the accused did not want to see Mr Hart or himself. One of the' arrested people at the centre of the row will appear in the District Court at Otahuhu today. An unemployed Maungatapere man, aged 42, and a St Heliers woman, aged 35, were remanded without plea when they made brief court appearances on Saturday.