The Trial

Polkinghorne Bonus: Sentenced on drug charges Nov 01, 2024

In the final chapter of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, the former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering his wife, he has been sentenced to 150 hours of community work for drug possession.

The charges of possessing methamphetamine and a pipe to smoke it followed searches of the family home after the death of Pauline Hanna.

WARNING: This episode references drug use.

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Polkinghorne E13: The Verdict Sep 27, 2024

After nearly two months and more than 80 witnesses, the jury returns with their finding in the murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E12: The closing arguments - murder or suicide? Sep 25, 2024

The defence and the prosecution present their final arguments after nearly two months of evidence. The Judge delivers a summing up and gives the jury directions before they retire to consider a verdict.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E11: ‘I'm never good enough’ Sep 23, 2024

For the first time, the court hears emails, found by the defence, that Pauline Hanna wrote to herself. Psychiatrists talk about the possible impact of the mix of medication she was taking. IT experts are at odds over whether texts were started - and deleted - on Hanna’s phone at 4am on the day her death was reported.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E10: Injuries and interpretations Sep 20, 2024

Expert defence pathologists offer different conclusions about the cause of death to their Crown counterparts. Colleagues at Auckland Eye describe Polkinghorne as kind and generous. And we hear from the “fishing boys”, who knew “Polky” from trips to their holiday homes in The Coromandel.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E9: ‘There was no murder’ Sep 16, 2024

As the defence case begins, Polkinghorne’s lawyer describes the police as being “intoxicated” with the idea of murder, and cautions the jury against being distracted by evidence about sex and drugs. Pauline Hanna’s sister says Hanna told her of a suicide attempt more than 30 years ago and Polkinghorne’s ex-wife takes the stand.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E8: ‘I haven't come this far to walk away’ Sep 11, 2024

Details of Philip Polkinghorne’s relationships with wife Pauline Hanna and Sydney-based sex worker Madison Ashton emerge when police scrutinise their digital devices. Among their discoveries, thousands of sexual images, and personal correspondence about the state of the marriage. A forensic accountant tells the court that Polkinghorne paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to half a dozen women, including Ashton.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E7: ‘Some things are going to come out’ Sep 09, 2024

As the Crown case nears its end, a close friend and colleague alleges Polkinghorne made sex and meth admissions that “shocked” her. There are questions about tensions in the operating theatre, financial stress and positive meth tests at Auckland Eye. An expert explains the ways meth can change behaviour.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E6: The disappearing mark Aug 30, 2024

Two pathologists face detailed questions about the significance of a mark on Pauline Hanna’s neck, with one asked why they didn’t mention it in their autopsy report. The court hears more about Hanna’s medical history, including her use of unprescribed sleeping tablets and the prescriptions she was given by her GP.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E5: ‘He wants to have sex with everybody’ Aug 27, 2024

In a recording played to the jury, Pauline Hanna talks about the state of her marriage to eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne and their sex life. Close friends recall her sharing an alleged strangulation threat by her husband. The defence challenges them and family members, asking if their recollections are clouded by the belief that Hanna wouldn’t have taken her own life.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

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Polkinghorne E4: ‘She’s never hit me, I’ve never hit her’ Aug 21, 2024

The jury hears Polkinghorne for the first time as the prosecution plays his police interview from the day his wife died. While answering questions about his marriage to Pauline Hanna and her state of mind, he receives a call informing him he’s a suspect. The Crown case continues with a friend of the couple describing his suspicions about Polkinghorne’s behaviour and a detective recalling a visit to a luxury getaway where Polkinghorne was staying with sex worker Madison Ashton.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

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Polkinghorne E3: An unprecedented search Aug 16, 2024

With Philip Polkinghorne being interviewed at the police station, detectives decide to step up their search of his house. Amid tests for fingerprints, DNA and blood - a hunt dubbed unprecedented by the detective sergeant in charge of the scene - officers make a series of discoveries that shape the investigation. But in court they’re asked if police and forensic scientists might have made up their minds too soon.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

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Polkinghorne E2: Code 1C for suspicious Aug 10, 2024

As detectives comb the home of Philip Polkinghorne and Pauline Hanna, questions quickly emerge about the rope involved in her death. The jury hears Polkinghorne’s summary of his wife’s final day alive.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

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Polkinghorne E1: 'My wife's dead' Aug 01, 2024

On Easter Monday 2021, police were called to the home of a successful professional couple in the affluent Auckland suburb of Remuera. They found the body of Pauline Hanna.

In his emergency call, her husband, Philip Polkinghorne, said she killed herself. Sixteen months later he was charged with her murder. As this podcast is released, he's currently on trial at the High Court in Auckland.

Stuff's groundbreaking series returns to take you inside the Polkinghorne trial: Hear the witnesses, follow the evidence, wait for the verdict.

WARNING: This podcast references suicide right from the start and throughout the episode. Some listeners might find this distressing. Click here for where to get help in New Zealand.

Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to produce, which is why we'd love you to support our work by becoming a subscriber! You can subscribe to Stuff Extra directly in Apple Podcasts, or Click Here to listen on other platforms.

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Polkinghorne trailer Jul 26, 2024

Police are called to the multi-million dollar home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna, also known as Pauline Polkinghorne. A year and a half later, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murdering his wife, a charge he denies.

The Trial, season 2, available soon wherever you get your podcasts. Subscribe to Stuff Extra on Apple or Spotify to be the first to hear new episodes.

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Benbow Bonus 2: Benbow's new legal battle Mar 25, 2024

There’s another twist in this trial. Stay subscribed to hear the latest developments.

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Benbow Bonus 1: 'I despise you' - the victims speak Mar 06, 2024

Almost seven years after murdering his mate Michael McGrath, David Benbow is sentenced for his crime. But not before facing McGrath's loved ones in court, including the third person in the love triangle that prompted Benbow to kill.

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Benbow E8: Resolution Oct 13, 2023

After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict. Michael McGrath's family reacts and Martin Van Beynen offers expert analysis - including what David Benbow might do next.

WARNING: This episode contains discussion of mental health and suicide. If you or anyone you know needs help, free call or text 1737 for assistance from a trained counsellor, 24 hours a day.

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Benbow E7: The retrial of David Benbow Oct 11, 2023

With the jury in the original trial unable to reach a verdict, David Charles Benbow finds himself back in the dock. And three key areas of evidence are updated as the prosecution tries once more to secure a conviction.

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Benbow E6: Not quite the end Jun 27, 2023

After listening intently to more than 100 witnesses over two months, the jury left the courtroom to begin its deliberations. Those left behind waited. And waited. But even when the wait was over, the Benbow trial still held a twist or two.

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Benbow E5: 'Did you do it?' Jun 22, 2023

As the investigation intensified, David Benbow's behaviour prompted questions from close friends, and police exploited his interest in the media coverage with a cunning press release. With the jury asked to consider the importance of Benbow's missing rifle - the alleged murder weapon - the defence dismisses the Crown case as hollow, "like a cheap Easter egg".

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Benbow E4: The burden of proof Jun 21, 2023

After playing parts of David Benbow's police interviews to the court, the prosecution makes much of his inability to fully account for his movements on the day - and day after - he allegedly murdered Michael McGrath. But the defence underlines one key fact: there is no physical evidence Benbow did anything wrong.

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Benbow E3: Monday, 9am Mar 31, 2023

Did Michael McGrath keep an appointment to shift some wood at David Benbow’s place? The prosecution says that’s where - and when - he was murdered. But the defence has doubts about Crown evidence involving the finer points of power consumption and CCTV footage.

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Benbow E2: The love triangle Mar 29, 2023

One relationship faltered and another blossomed.

Police argued that was a motive for murder.

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Benbow E1: The disappearance of Michael McGrath Mar 29, 2023

When Michael McGrath started looking less scruffy, his friends started talking.

When he failed to show for his weekly dinner with his mum, his new partner, Joanna Green, called the police, kickstarting an investigation that took six years to reach court.

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Benbow trailer Mar 24, 2023

In May 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared - almost without trace.

No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body was ever found.

So how could his longtime friend be arrested and charged with murder?

In February 2023, the trial of David Charles Benbow finally began. Benbow stood accused of murdering McGrath because he’d started a relationship with Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green.

The prosecution said that, while based entirely on circumstantial evidence, its case was so comprehensive there could be no doubt Benbow was guilty.

The defence said detectives were biased, working hard to build a case against Benbow after he was identified as a prime suspect - by Green.

Stuff, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts (Black Hands, The Commune, Gone Fishing) presents The Trial.

Journalists from the Christchurch Press newsroom spent weeks at the High Court and pored over hundreds of hours of recordings to create a compelling and in-depth insight into New Zealand’s criminal justice system.

Hear the evidence. Follow the twists and turns. Wait - for the verdict.

WARNING: This series contains some strong language and content that may upset some people.

For full written coverage of the trial from The Press newsroom in Christchurch, visit stuff.co.nz.

Need more great true crime podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here.

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