Kris Dender, now known as Kris Tuanui, has returned to practising law after serving a nine-month home detention sentence in 2016 for assaulting his then-partner, triathlete Amelia Watkinson.
The Hawke’s Bay-based lawyer, who was suspended for two years by the Lawyers and Conveyancers Disciplinary Tribunal, resumed his career as a duty lawyer in Taupō District Court, according to a report in legacy media.
Tuanui told the media outlet he was remorseful and outlined efforts to reform, including attending counselling and completing a domestic violence course. His reinstatement has sparked controversy, particularly from Watkinson and other legal professionals, who question the appropriateness of allowing someone with a violent criminal past to defend others.
Watkinson, still struggling with anxiety years after the assault, was unaware of Tuanui’s return to law until contacted by NZME. She and others criticised the decision, citing concerns about trust and the integrity of the legal profession.
The Law Society defended its decision, noting Tuanui’s efforts at rehabilitation and the rigorous process involved in reinstating lawyers with past convictions.
Criminals should never be able to change their names……🤬
In domestic partnership problems violence can be physical or verbal.
The latter lies firmly in the realm of females who have greater verbal ‘skills’.
Not wanting to defend eiher, but males are usually at the losing end of court battles because, when pushed by bitchy mouths to the limit, many men lose composure and react according to archaic instincts.
Therefore, men, chose wisely. Listen to the little guy on your shoulder warning you. Do not be blinded by facades. They are older than cosmetics.
However, you can place a comment by not even using your name. If you are going to put down a comment like that, please list all the things you have done but didn’t get convicted for. God forgives, the devil does not.
Maybe criminals should not be able to change names, but you post ‘anonymous’? Is it because you fear repercussions by criminals hiding behind prestige as politicians, scientists, experts, their goon squats representing as anonymous ‘police’, or deep state operatives?
Because YOU have done nothing wrong, right?
All these reasons are fair enough and are acknowledged. They are valid.
But make no mistake, what quickly is ‘judged’ as criminal might just be the vomit of what justice has become in NZ.