Philip Polkinghorne trial: Eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering wife Pauline Hanna
Monday, 23 September 2024
Warning: Some readers may find the content distressing.
Eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne has been found not guilty of killing his wife, Pauline Hanna.
That’s what the jury of 11 decided after 10 hours of deliberating over two days. But, on Monday morning, the jury said in a question to the judge “most” didn’t believe Hanna had killed herself.
The jury had to decide whether the Crown had proved beyond reasonable doubt that sometime on the night of April 4, or morning of Easter Monday, that Polkinghorne killed his wife. The jury said in the communication on Monday morning some didn’t think the Crown had provided enough evidence.
Polkinghorne held his head down after the foreman read out “not guilty”. Some people in the public gallery gasped. Others were crying.
To those looking in, Hanna and Polkinghorne appeared to be a highly successful couple.
Great careers, good looks, wealth, a home in the upmarket Auckland suburb of Remuera, a bach in the Coromandel, loving family and caring friends.
But over the last eight weeks, the jury sitting in courtroom 11 were presented a different picture: sex, meth, affairs, money, arguments, love, depression and work stress.
Their lives were laid bare for not just the jury, but for the public.
Speaking outside the court on Monday afternoon, Polkinghorne called the verdict a “huge turning point in our lives”.
“This process has taken a huge toll on so many of us and now we can grieve and let Pauline rest in peace. That is the best gift we can give her.”
His lawyer, Ron Mansfield KC, said there’d be no questions.
Bruce Hanna - Pauline’s brother - said he and his family was disappointed with the outcome.
“It’s not the decision we wanted,” he said.
“I’d like to thank the police and prosecution for their dedication and hard work. I thought the court proceeding was fair and we need to accept the decision and move on.”
Bruce spoke alongside his wife Shelley, son Jacob and daughter Rose. Shelley held a picture of Pauline as Bruce spoke.
Hanna’s niece Rose Hanna said in a statement to Stuff the court process had “hijacked” their lives since Hanna’s death.
“We came to Auckland with a lot of questions, and we leave with some answers,” Rose said.
“I hope Pauline’s story saves others who may find themselves in a relationship dominated by coercive control. Pauline was a beautiful person, we can now grieve for her and look forward to returning to our private lives.
Pheasant Riordan, Hanna’s friend who gave evidence during the trial against Polkinghorne, said the verdict was a “crap decision”.
Sydney-based escort Madison Ashton, who became a focus in the Crown’s case, revealed to Stuff four days before Polkinghorne’s acquittal that she was “praying for a unanimous guilty verdict”.
Detective Senior Sergeant Chris Allan was the officer in charge of the investigation and said he respected and acknowledged the decision the jurors came to.
“This is now a matter for the coronial process who will be in a position to provide some findings and so at this stage of the investigation, this is the end of the matter.” Stuff has contacted the Coroner to ask if there’ll be an inquest.
On the first day of trial, Polkinghorne pleaded guilty to possession of 37.7 grams of methamphetamine and utensils. Various pottles of methamphetamine were found around his Remeura home after Hanna’s death.
He’ll be back in court on November 1 for sentencing.