The Trial
The Trial
Episodes
Episodes of The Trial
Mark All
James Wallace was once the most revered philanthropist in the New Zealand arts community. His world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault. After a six-year legal battle - and more victims came forward - Wallace was co
In the final chapter of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, the former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering his wife, he has been sentenced to 150 hours of community work for drug possession.The charges of possessing methamphetamin
After nearly two months and more than 80 witnesses, the jury returns with their finding in the murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne.WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might f
The defence and the prosecution present their final arguments after nearly two months of evidence. The Judge delivers a summing up and gives the jury directions before they retire to consider a verdict.WARNING: This podcast references suicide
For the first time, the court hears emails, found by the defence, that Pauline Hanna wrote to herself. Psychiatrists talk about the possible impact of the mix of medication she was taking. IT experts are at odds over whether texts were started
Bonus
The jury returns with a verdict in the Polkinghorne trial.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Expert defence pathologists offer different conclusions about the cause of death to their Crown counterparts. Colleagues at Auckland Eye describe Polkinghorne as kind and generous. And we hear from the “fishing boys”, who knew “Polky” from trip
As the defence case begins, Polkinghorne’s lawyer describes the police as being “intoxicated” with the idea of murder, and cautions the jury against being distracted by evidence about sex and drugs. Pauline Hanna’s sister says Hanna told her of
Details of Philip Polkinghorne’s relationships with wife Pauline Hanna and Sydney-based sex worker Madison Ashton emerge when police scrutinise their digital devices. Among their discoveries, thousands of sexual images, and personal corresponde
As the Crown case nears its end, a close friend and colleague alleges Polkinghorne made sex and meth admissions that “shocked” her. There are questions about tensions in the operating theatre, financial stress and positive meth tests at Aucklan
Two pathologists face detailed questions about the significance of a mark on Pauline Hanna’s neck, with one asked why they didn’t mention it in their autopsy report. The court hears more about Hanna’s medical history, including her use of unpre
In a recording played to the jury, Pauline Hanna talks about the state of her marriage to eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne and their sex life. Close friends recall her sharing an alleged strangulation threat by her husband. The defence challenge
The jury hears Polkinghorne for the first time as the prosecution plays his police interview from the day his wife died. While answering questions about his marriage to Pauline Hanna and her state of mind, he receives a call informing him he’s
With Philip Polkinghorne being interviewed at the police station, detectives decide to step up their search of his house. Amid tests for fingerprints, DNA and blood - a hunt dubbed unprecedented by the detective sergeant in charge of the scene
As detectives comb the home of Philip Polkinghorne and Pauline Hanna, questions quickly emerge about the rope involved in her death. The jury hears Polkinghorne’s summary of his wife’s final day alive.WARNING: This podcast references suicide r
On Easter Monday 2021, police were called to the home of a successful professional couple in the affluent Auckland suburb of Remuera. They found the body of Pauline Hanna.In his emergency call, her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, said she killed
Trailer
Police are called to the multi-million dollar home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna, also known as Pauline Polkinghorne. A year and a half later, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murdering his wife, a
One ordinary day almost a decade ago, John Beckenridge abducted his stepson, Mike, from school and vanished. From New Zealand’s leader in true crime podcasts, this is the story of a calculating man with a dark past, the 11-year-old boy he contr
There’s another twist in this trial. Stay subscribed to hear the latest developments.Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Almost seven years after murdering his mate Michael McGrath, David Benbow is sentenced for his crime. But not before facing McGrath's loved ones in court, including the third person in the love triangle that prompted Benbow to kill.Learn more
Bonus
The verdict is in - The Trial is an international hit. We've just received some end-of-year accolades from Apple Podcasts, being named as the #1 True Crime podcast in Australia and New Zealand and the #2 new show overall. We just wanted to say
After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict. Michael McGrath's family reacts and Martin Van Beynen offers expert analysis - including what David Benbow might do next.WARNING: This epis
With the jury in the original trial unable to reach a verdict, David Charles Benbow finds himself back in the dock. And three key areas of evidence are updated as the prosecution tries once more to secure a conviction.Podcasts like this take l
After listening intently to more than 100 witnesses over two months, the jury left the courtroom to begin its deliberations. Those left behind waited. And waited. But even when the wait was over, the Benbow trial still held a twist or two.Podc
As the investigation intensified, David Benbow's behaviour prompted questions from close friends, and police exploited his interest in the media coverage with a cunning press release. With the jury asked to consider the importance of Benbow's m
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