The defence has closed its case in the infamous fatal Red Fox Tavern robbery trial, with a lawyer arguing that "bombshell" testimony alleging another man confessed has been "devastating" to the Crown case. Defence lawyer Christopher Stevenson, representing the unnamed accused, said the jury was being asked to convict fellow human beings of murder when "someone else has confessed to it". Stevenson said the testimony of a prisoner, who says Lester Hamilton confessed in jail, could "only be described as a bombshell" that was "devastating" to the Crown. The prisoner, who has name suppression, felt compelled to come to court and testify to stop a miscarriage of justice, he said. Today, Stevenson said investigator Tim McKinnel had given evidence Hamilton could have travelled faster to the tavern than the Crown case reasoned by driving over the speed limit.

Source: New Zealand Herald March 24, 2021 00:58 UTC