The Crown has conceded that significant problems with the evidence presented during the 1999 and 2000 trials of Gail Maney and Stephen Stone led to a miscarriage of justice.
The revelation, prompted by an internal investigation and pressure from a popular podcast, Gone Fishing, has given new hope to the convicted pair.
The memo received by their legal teams last week acknowledges the flawed evidence, marking a critical step towards potential acquittal.
Maney, who has consistently maintained her innocence told state media her emotion upon receiving the news, which has been a long time coming after numerous appeals and continued advocacy by her supporters.
The case, which originally convicted Maney and Stone for the murders of Deane Fuller-Sandys and Leah Stephens, has been marred by controversy and claims of wrongful conviction.
The Crown’s admission centres on two key documents that were not disclosed during the original trials, potentially altering the their outcomes. While this development represents a significant breakthrough, the legal process is far from over, with the appeal court in Wellington set to review the case next month. The outcome could have far-reaching implications not only for Maney and Stone but also for the families of the victims, who have endured decades of uncertainty and shifting narratives surrounding the tragic events.
Image credit: Tingey Injury Law Firm
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