In the New Zealand Herald this morning, Steve Braunias reports on the opening of the inquest into the death of Pauline Hanna, wife of Auckland ophthalmologist Philip Polkinghorne.
The circumstances of her undignified death are well known, having been exhaustively reported when Polkinghorne went on trial last year for her murder. He was acquitted, but the law still requires that an inquest be held.
Braunias reports that before yesterday’s hearing, Polkinghorne “teased” the officer in charge of the murder investigation. “Oh,” he said. “I thought you’d be working at Countdown,” he told Detective Sergeant Chris Allen – the clear implication being that he didn’t deserve to keep his job as a cop.
We don’t know whether it was said with a smile or with malice, but either way it will probably confirm the impression the country had formed of Polkinghorne during the trial – namely, that he’s an arrogant prick with a massive sense of entitlement.
Most men in Polkinghorne’s situation, having had their appalling behaviour exposed during a sensational trial that generated headlines for weeks, would have felt chastened. They would have been relieved at the not guilty verdict, gratefully taken it as a win and left matters to rest rather than rake over the coals.
But not this raging egotist, apparently. He has scores to settle.
Given the mainstream media had a guilty verdict as a dead certainty, forgive us if we don’t give a great deal of credence to this report. If the NZ Herald reported the sun was going to rise in the morning, I’d be worried.
ReplyDeleteKarl, I do occasionally disagree with some of your observations. I don’t have a premium sub to the NZ Herald so am unable to gain the full context of Braunias’ report. Braunias says that Polkinghorne spoke to the officer before the coroner’s hearing. My presumption would be that Braunias’ source was either the officer himself or someone very close.
ReplyDeleteMy feeling is that Polkinghorne would certainly have undergone some torrid questioning from the lead detective. And, if after the acquittal the opportunity arose to “return serve” then why not take it?
The trial is over and done with and in general terms your name calling adds no value. The only other point is who is raking over the coals here, yourself or Steve Braunias?
Postscript: Weekend Herald (15 Mar) tells us Steve Braunias is finishing up at NZME. That report is silent on whether he is going to Countdown (Woolworths), Pak N Save, or New World.
Brilliant sledge!
ReplyDeleteHi Karl. I don't know the man and you may well be correct but I can't recall a single case where the media had tried, convicted and sentenced the accused so avidly as this one. That would give Mr Polkinghorne some degree of cause for his attitude in my opinion plus the salacious manner of their reporting crossed the line many times.
ReplyDelete