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Stuff Audio

Stuff Audio, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts, presents The Trial. Stuff’s expert journalists spend weeks at High Court hearings and pore over hundreds of hours of recordings to deliver compelling and in-depth insights into some of New Zealand’s most intriguing cases - as they happen.
NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley.
Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright.
Sound design/audio editing: Connor Scott; executive producer: Chris Reed
WARNING: This show talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours.
Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.

The Trial

James Wallace was once the most revered philanthropist in the New Zealand arts community. His world started crumbling when a young man accused him of sexual assault. After a six-year legal battle - and more victims came forward - Wallace was convicted of multiple crimes and out of ways to keep his identity secret. This is the story of a disgraced knight’s rise and fall, his crimes and punishment - and his survivors. 
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Introducing: The Artful Dodger

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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Benbow trailer

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.
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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Benbow E1: The disappearance of Michael McGrath

One relationship faltered and another blossomed.
Police argued that was a motive for murder.
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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Benbow E2: The love triangle

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.
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E3: Monday, 9am

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.
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E4: The burden of proof

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".
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E5: 'Did you do it?'

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.
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E6: Not quite the end

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.
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.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E7: The retrial of David Benbow

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.
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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Benbow E8: Resolution

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.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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