Campaign against the Taser

More judges needed to hear 'P' cases, says lawyer

Marie Dyhrberg, Barrister has spoken out about the need for more judges since methamphetamine cases. They were clogging up the High Court, but now the Distrct Court may hear some cases. Already, there is a one year wait for district court hearings. Adding over a hundred cases would increase the delay - more resources were required.

Police to publish more details on Taser Trails

"What information has been published by the police is scant, it is misleading and it is very, very brief in terms of the actual incidents themselves and what the public ought to be shown and consider if they're going to be part of a decision whether to arm the police again," says Marie Dyhrberg of the Campaign Against The Taser group.

Campaign against the Taser

CATT spokesperson Marie Dyhrberg called on the Commissioner of Police to delay his decision on the Taser until the public has had the opportunity to view and comment on all relevant information about the trial, not just the summaries made available so far, which the Ombudsman has called "sanitised":

'I have read the summaries and compared them with the tactical options report accounts. In my view, many of the summaries are extremely brief, and have the effect of "sanitising" the original reports.' – Chief Ombudsman

The criticism has been welcomed by anti-Taser campaigners such as lawyer Marie Dyhrberg.

"The police have not been open and transparent. They have been very selective about in what information they have decided to provide to the New Zealand public," she says.

Radio New Zealand News : Latest News : 200806041940 : Bail process should include relatives, says murder victim's family

Bail process should include relatives, says murder victim's family

The family of a teenager killed, ask they be included in considering bail for the youth charged with the killing, after he took up residence 1km from the family home.

Marie Dyhrberg said it is in the defense's own interests to ensure clients are bailed as far away as possible from their alleged victims and their families because it protects a client from confrontation and allegations of improper contact.

- partly extracted from radio nz posted at 7:40pm

PM Criticised for speaking on case

Macsyna King's lawyer Marie Dyhrberg says PM Helen Clark should not get involved in the high profile case.

She says politicians have no right to dictate how the justice system should run.

Dyhrberg says it would not be right for police to reopen the case because of demands from political and pressure groups.

Linked article from TVNZ has details. Click on the heading.

Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

Taser debate reignited by Christchurch police shooting | NATIONAL | NEWS | tvnz.co.nz

A senior police officer fired several shots at a 37 year old after the man reportedly charged the police office with a claw hammer.

NZ First law and order campaigner Ron Mark raised this issue as "proof of that the Taser is needed".

But barrister and anti-taser campaigner Marie Dyhrberg says there would be consequences from not having strict guidelines on the use of the Taser.

She says it could be used to make people comply with police rather than for containing someone threatening violence.

Dyhrberg says there needs to be better consultation about when to use them.

A report on the effectiveness of Tasers is due out in December.