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Newly-knighted lawyer Sir Peter Williams QC says it’s time to restore the reputation of Maori Battalion commander Arapeta Awatere.
Sir Peter, who represented Awatere at his 1969 murder trial, says he combined extraordinary courage with humility and concern for his people.
He was also highly regarded for his knowledge of Maori language, culture and history.
Sir Peter told Radio Waatea host Willie Jackson the trial was a travesty, with one of the victim’s workmates put on the jury and witnesses lying in the dock.
"They retracted later I have affidavits where they retracted later and the summing up by the judge was incorrect. He should have been released from prison. An order was made for him to be released and for some reason he wasn't released. It was a shame an absolute shame on our justice system that he died in a prison cell. He is one of the greatest persons thatI have ever ever encountered in my life" he says.
Sir Peter says he has seen far too many miscarriages of justice in his career because of the tunnel vision of prosecutors who have an overwhelming desire to secure convictions, and the system needs a top to bottom reform.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW WITH PETER WILLIAMS QC CLICK ON THE LINK
https://secure.zeald.com/uma/play_podcast?podlink=MjgwNjU=
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