Kiyota.

Kiyota.

I'm Chelsea Daniels and from the team behind the front page the New Zealand Herald's daily news podcast, This is Accused the Polkinghorn Trial. Over the next six weeks, in conjunction with our usual daily episodes, will be bringing you regular coverage as one of the most high profile trials of the year makes its way through the High Court at Auckland. A warning, this podcast contains disturbing content. The first week of the trial of Philip Polkinghorn has come to an end. He's accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hannah on April fifth, twenty twenty one. While we're in the early stages of evidence, the topics that will be covered in the case have been made clear in fidelity, threesomes, sex workers, a financial concerns, depression, stress, and a COVID vaccine rollout. All this will be traversed over the next six weeks to answer the ultimate question, was it murder or suicide? That question was under the microscope on day four to recap Polkinghorn is accused of murdering Hannah by strangling her either with his hands, forearm or something soft and smooth while angry. High or low or strung out on meth. The Crown says aspects of his double life were getting harder and harder to keep under wraps. Evidence suggests Hannah had discovered his drug habit and had told her friends and family she was worried about how he was spending their money, as well as his sexual demands of her. The Crown says she was considering leaving him, but admitted she still loved her husband despite his behavior. This behavior of the Crown of Led includes aggression, emotional control, and a prior incident in which her husband wrapped his hands around her neck. It's alleged he staged the scene, making it look like she'd hung herself with a rope too long with not enough tension, as we heard about on day three. On the other hand, Polkinghorn's defense maintains she took her own life, having been overstressed working seven am till ten pm, seven days a week in her role overseeing the COVID vaccination rollout with County's Monaco digheb. She was taking antidepressants, and it's claimed the combination of drugs and alcohol left her prone to taking her life. To explore further, if it was possible or not for Hannah to have committed suicide. Day four of evidence began with a Canadian forensic rope and not an analyst who appeared via audio visual link, his face dotted around the room thanks to five large TVs in the courtroom. Robert Chisnell was contacted by ESR scientist Fiona Matheson about a week after Pauline Hannah's body was found. He was sent and asked to look at seventy six photographs of the knotted, bright orange rope hanging from the balustrade. His evidence that morning was highly technical. He spoke of knots, not memory s, half hitches, residual twists.

I'm Chelsea Daniels and from the team behind the front page the New Zealand Herald's daily news podcast, This is Accused the Polkinghorn Trial. Over the next six weeks, in conjunction with our usual daily episodes, will be bringing you regular coverage as one of the most high profile trials of the year makes its way through the High Court at Auckland. A warning, this podcast contains disturbing content. The first week of the trial of Philip Polkinghorn has come to an end. He's accused of murdering his wife, Pauline Hannah on April fifth, twenty twenty one. While we're in the early stages of evidence, the topics that will be covered in the case have been made clear in fidelity, threesomes, sex workers, a financial concerns, depression, stress, and a COVID vaccine rollout. All this will be traversed over the next six weeks to answer the ultimate question, was it murder or suicide? That question was under the microscope on day four to recap Polkinghorn is accused of murdering Hannah by strangling her either with his hands, forearm or something soft and smooth while angry. High or low or strung out on meth. The Crown says aspects of his double life were getting harder and harder to keep under wraps. Evidence suggests Hannah had discovered his drug habit and had told her friends and family she was worried about how he was spending their money, as well as his sexual demands of her. The Crown says she was considering leaving him, but admitted she still loved her husband despite his behavior. This behavior of the Crown of Led includes aggression, emotional control, and a prior incident in which her husband wrapped his hands around her neck. It's alleged he staged the scene, making it look like she'd hung herself with a rope too long with not enough tension, as we heard about on day three. On the other hand, Polkinghorn's defense maintains she took her own life, having been overstressed working seven am till ten pm, seven days a week in her role overseeing the COVID vaccination rollout with County's Monaco digheb. She was taking antidepressants, and it's claimed the combination of drugs and alcohol left her prone to taking her life. To explore further, if it was possible or not for Hannah to have committed suicide. Day four of evidence began with a Canadian forensic rope and not an analyst who appeared via audio visual link, his face dotted around the room thanks to five large TVs in the courtroom. Robert Chisnell was contacted by ESR scientist Fiona Matheson about a week after Pauline Hannah's body was found. He was sent and asked to look at seventy six photographs of the knotted, bright orange rope hanging from the balustrade. His evidence that morning was highly technical. He spoke of knots, not memory s, half hitches, residual twists.

Okay, so fifteen figures fifteen and sixteen, that's the cut dang ligan of fear item one And if you notice it's spirals up to the up and to the right. It spirals up and to the right, and that's very similar to spiraling on what's called Hassle laid rule. That's zed lay and it suggests that it might have been previously tied with zed half.

Okay, so fifteen figures fifteen and sixteen, that's the cut dang ligan of fear item one And if you notice it's spirals up to the up and to the right. It spirals up and to the right, and that's very similar to spiraling on what's called Hassle laid rule. That's zed lay and it suggests that it might have been previously tied with zed half.

Hitches complicated right, especially without photos to aid you. The jury was given a specific booklet of photos that included color coded line drawings of these intricate knots and drapes. Here's the conclusion Chesnel wrote in his report after he had analyzed the photos he was given.

Hitches complicated right, especially without photos to aid you. The jury was given a specific booklet of photos that included color coded line drawings of these intricate knots and drapes. Here's the conclusion Chesnel wrote in his report after he had analyzed the photos he was given.

So sorry you may have misunderstood me. I need you to report to us please as you have from your summary at b.

So sorry you may have misunderstood me. I need you to report to us please as you have from your summary at b.

Okay, as observed in the photographs provided, Item three eight zero zero one or figure one was knotted to or draped over the railing of the balustrades. It was two long and too insecure to spend any weight. The insecure tangles collapsed, allowing the unknotted in to slide to the floor. After this slippy, additional slack was still available at both ends. Further, the loop knotted around the advistrads slipped down at some point when the tangles collapsed.

Okay, as observed in the photographs provided, Item three eight zero zero one or figure one was knotted to or draped over the railing of the balustrades. It was two long and too insecure to spend any weight. The insecure tangles collapsed, allowing the unknotted in to slide to the floor. After this slippy, additional slack was still available at both ends. Further, the loop knotted around the advistrads slipped down at some point when the tangles collapsed.

Chisnel is based in Ontario, Canada, and use the back deck balustrade at his home for a rope test. Defense lawyer Mansfield took aim at the rope experts credentials.

Chisnel is based in Ontario, Canada, and use the back deck balustrade at his home for a rope test. Defense lawyer Mansfield took aim at the rope experts credentials.

So you don't have an engineering qualification? No, I do not, And I see from your qualifications that you have a BSc is at a batchelor of science.

So you don't have an engineering qualification? No, I do not, And I see from your qualifications that you have a BSc is at a batchelor of science.

Yes it is.

Yes it is.

And what was your primary subject and that qualification.

And what was your primary subject and that qualification.

Yes, biology with a minor in math.

Yes, biology with a minor in math.

So nothing in relation to ropes or the study of knots or even anything forensic by way of science.

So nothing in relation to ropes or the study of knots or even anything forensic by way of science.

That's great.

That's great.

Later on, Chisnell would mention articles published in an array of countries about not and rope analysis. He's also written a book about the subject. Mansfield asked Chisnel why he didn't ask to examine the rope and balustrade, which by that time had been completely removed from the home. He just set up a replica in his backyard. Chisnell wasn't offered the opportunity to examine the actual balustrade. Mansfield also questioned the rope the expert used in his testing. ESR had bought the same rope found in the home at Super Cheap Auto.

Later on, Chisnell would mention articles published in an array of countries about not and rope analysis. He's also written a book about the subject. Mansfield asked Chisnel why he didn't ask to examine the rope and balustrade, which by that time had been completely removed from the home. He just set up a replica in his backyard. Chisnell wasn't offered the opportunity to examine the actual balustrade. Mansfield also questioned the rope the expert used in his testing. ESR had bought the same rope found in the home at Super Cheap Auto.

Could you say that again, please?

Could you say that again, please?

You can get the same rope on eBay? Were you aware of that?

You can get the same rope on eBay? Were you aware of that?

There was not?

There was not?

But I think if you don't have access to that retail out there called super Cheap Auto, you would have access to eBay, wouldn't you?

But I think if you don't have access to that retail out there called super Cheap Auto, you would have access to eBay, wouldn't you?

Yes?

Yes?

And despite the balustrade, it's your view, isn't it that the rope would most likely slide down the balustrade? Correct? If pressure was applied in a downward fashion.

And despite the balustrade, it's your view, isn't it that the rope would most likely slide down the balustrade? Correct? If pressure was applied in a downward fashion.

Coract.

Coract.

The Crown Prosecutor Brian Dicky would later clarify any rope would behave in the way Chisnel had described. Mansfield read out part of Polkinghorn's videoed police interview done the afternoon of his wife's death. In an attempt to demonstrate his client's handling of the rope, he said he undid the granny knots upstairs after getting his wife down and undoing the belt and rope from around her neck. Brian Dickie asked Chisnel if it was possible to determine if the orange rope tied in four half hitch knots to the top of the balustrade appeared to have been loosened. It doesn't appear to have been, Chisnel said, because the half hitches a snug. After Chisnel departed, Sergeant Christian Ioga was called back to the stand. You'll remember he was in charge of the scene examination. By April fifteenth, the scene examination had been complete, and on this day then Auckland Crown Solicitor Brian Dickie and a staffer visited the Upland Road home. Mansfield questioned this, Why would they be there? And was this when the police was contemplating charging him with murder?

The Crown Prosecutor Brian Dicky would later clarify any rope would behave in the way Chisnel had described. Mansfield read out part of Polkinghorn's videoed police interview done the afternoon of his wife's death. In an attempt to demonstrate his client's handling of the rope, he said he undid the granny knots upstairs after getting his wife down and undoing the belt and rope from around her neck. Brian Dickie asked Chisnel if it was possible to determine if the orange rope tied in four half hitch knots to the top of the balustrade appeared to have been loosened. It doesn't appear to have been, Chisnel said, because the half hitches a snug. After Chisnel departed, Sergeant Christian Ioga was called back to the stand. You'll remember he was in charge of the scene examination. By April fifteenth, the scene examination had been complete, and on this day then Auckland Crown Solicitor Brian Dickie and a staffer visited the Upland Road home. Mansfield questioned this, Why would they be there? And was this when the police was contemplating charging him with murder?

But certainly the Oakland Crown Solicitor, if he does a tend a homicide scene, wouldn't attend a scene where mithmphetamine for someone's own use was found, would they? If it was just in relation to myth and possession, then it's not common. No, we're talking about another sixteen months, aren't we before Dr Polkinhorn is actually charged with the current charge he faces. That's about right, isn't it.

But certainly the Oakland Crown Solicitor, if he does a tend a homicide scene, wouldn't attend a scene where mithmphetamine for someone's own use was found, would they? If it was just in relation to myth and possession, then it's not common. No, we're talking about another sixteen months, aren't we before Dr Polkinhorn is actually charged with the current charge he faces. That's about right, isn't it.

That's what happened. Yes, this goes back to Mansfield's first address, describing a one eyed investigation based on an erroneous suspicion and a desperate need to find everdence of a nature that frankly never existed, he said. He asked Ioga about the guest bedroom where Hannah had slept the night before, while the room looked and disheveled, with an ottoman turned to its side, pillows strewn around the room, He asked whether there was any indication a body had been removed from that room. There were no indications of blood in there, other than the brown smudge on the fitted sheet at the foot of the bed. There were no drag marks on the carpet. Either partial or complete cases had been taken off the pillows. Many found underneath the bedding that was grouped up at the end of the bed.

That's what happened. Yes, this goes back to Mansfield's first address, describing a one eyed investigation based on an erroneous suspicion and a desperate need to find everdence of a nature that frankly never existed, he said. He asked Ioga about the guest bedroom where Hannah had slept the night before, while the room looked and disheveled, with an ottoman turned to its side, pillows strewn around the room, He asked whether there was any indication a body had been removed from that room. There were no indications of blood in there, other than the brown smudge on the fitted sheet at the foot of the bed. There were no drag marks on the carpet. Either partial or complete cases had been taken off the pillows. Many found underneath the bedding that was grouped up at the end of the bed.

Pillowcases, I should mean this number of pillowcases are unlikely to come off in a struggle or a fight, are they unless it's a pillow fight. That's correct. So someone has actually removed the pillow cases or pillow slips, and it looks like there were some on the bed before the bedding was put back that could have gone back on them. Correct.

Pillowcases, I should mean this number of pillowcases are unlikely to come off in a struggle or a fight, are they unless it's a pillow fight. That's correct. So someone has actually removed the pillow cases or pillow slips, and it looks like there were some on the bed before the bedding was put back that could have gone back on them. Correct.

Correct? So was the room disheveled or was someone just stripping the bedding? Mansfield questioned Ioga about the items found in the laundry. A white top sheet was found damp in the dryer.

Correct? So was the room disheveled or was someone just stripping the bedding? Mansfield questioned Ioga about the items found in the laundry. A white top sheet was found damp in the dryer.

It appeared though that it was that it had been in the dryer and that the drying cyval had left it still damp. Correct. I can't confirm if it went through a cycle, but it was damp, but it had clearly been in the dryer and the dryer had been used.

It appeared though that it was that it had been in the dryer and that the drying cyval had left it still damp. Correct. I can't confirm if it went through a cycle, but it was damp, but it had clearly been in the dryer and the dryer had been used.

It was dry than the ones from the washing machine. News.

It was dry than the ones from the washing machine. News.

I don't know if you know this. Let's see if you do. Some people don't like clothes and or bedding to be dried, so it's crispy dry because it makes it difficult to be ironed. Is that you or not?

I don't know if you know this. Let's see if you do. Some people don't like clothes and or bedding to be dried, so it's crispy dry because it makes it difficult to be ironed. Is that you or not?

I like my petchhoots? Try okay?

I like my petchhoots? Try okay?

Do you own them?

Do you own them?

H Probably why there were women's clothes in the washing machine, a pair of leggings, shoe in soles, tea towels and Nike top and women's underwear. When the trial resumed on day five, some of the last images of Pauline Hannah alive were shown to the cord. It came in the form of security footage from Enviro Ornihunger the tap or dump should visit it. The day before, she was traveling in the couple's red Sanyong yute with items secured on the back with a bright orange rope.

H Probably why there were women's clothes in the washing machine, a pair of leggings, shoe in soles, tea towels and Nike top and women's underwear. When the trial resumed on day five, some of the last images of Pauline Hannah alive were shown to the cord. It came in the form of security footage from Enviro Ornihunger the tap or dump should visit it. The day before, she was traveling in the couple's red Sanyong yute with items secured on the back with a bright orange rope.

So it's clear, isn't it that on four eight pl one, between the hours at two fifteen pm and three h nine PM at Enviro nd Only hanger, we know that missus Polkinhorn was in possession of the orange rope, was secured load on her vehicle with the orong rope, and then she has handled that orong rope then leaving with it the tip.

So it's clear, isn't it that on four eight pl one, between the hours at two fifteen pm and three h nine PM at Enviro nd Only hanger, we know that missus Polkinhorn was in possession of the orange rope, was secured load on her vehicle with the orong rope, and then she has handled that orong rope then leaving with it the tip.

That afternoon, correct ESR forensic scientist Fiona Matheson went to the scene and her role is to make assessments about different scenarios that may have happened, and she's there to take samples. In a trial, it's important for forensic evidence to be very detailed. Much of it is clarifying processes to the jury. How does luminol testing work, what is a false positive, what does it mean when there is a probable or possible chance of blood. It's all very technical but necessary. From the Crown's opening, here's what Alicia McClintock said.

That afternoon, correct ESR forensic scientist Fiona Matheson went to the scene and her role is to make assessments about different scenarios that may have happened, and she's there to take samples. In a trial, it's important for forensic evidence to be very detailed. Much of it is clarifying processes to the jury. How does luminol testing work, what is a false positive, what does it mean when there is a probable or possible chance of blood. It's all very technical but necessary. From the Crown's opening, here's what Alicia McClintock said.

Scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, they'll come along and give the evidence about sing that they carried out in the house, samples they took and things they tested it for, testing for blood and things like that within the house. And look, much of that evidence didn't necessarily reveal anything the Crown relies on, but it is important for you to know what testing was done, and you need to know what wasn't found just as much as you need to know what was found. It's part of the assessment.

Scientists from the Institute of Environmental Science and Research, they'll come along and give the evidence about sing that they carried out in the house, samples they took and things they tested it for, testing for blood and things like that within the house. And look, much of that evidence didn't necessarily reveal anything the Crown relies on, but it is important for you to know what testing was done, and you need to know what wasn't found just as much as you need to know what was found. It's part of the assessment.

That ends the first week of the trial of Philip Polkinghorn. The trial continues on Monday, August fifth. You can listen to episodes of Accused the Polkinghorn Trial through the front Page podcast feed or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by me Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sells and sound engineer Paddy fox And. For more coverage of the Polkinghorn trial had two ends at Herald dot co dot Enzy

That ends the first week of the trial of Philip Polkinghorn. The trial continues on Monday, August fifth. You can listen to episodes of Accused the Polkinghorn Trial through the front Page podcast feed or find it on iHeartRadio or wherever you get your podcasts. This series is presented and produced by me Chelsea Daniels, with producer Ethan Sells and sound engineer Paddy fox And. For more coverage of the Polkinghorn trial had two ends at Herald dot co dot Enzy