Dick Halton Headley v The Queen

[2010] NZSC 61

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NEW ZEALAND

SC 31/2010
[2010] NZSC 61

DICK HALTON HEADLEY

v

THE QUEEN

Court:Elias CJ, Blanchard and Tipping JJ

Counsel:Applicant in person

M F Laracy for Crown

Judgment:9 June 2010 

JUDGMENT OF THE COURT

The application for leave to appeal is dismissed.

REASONS

[1]        Mr Headley seeks to overturn his conviction for abduction after pleading guilty.  He says he did so because a trial in Hamilton would not have been a fair trial in view of the extensive publicity about his case.  He argues that the lower courts were wrong in their assessments (prior to the plea) that a fair trial was possible without a change of venue.  We see nothing to suggest that the change of venue was refused on an improper basis.  

[2]        The Court of Appeal’s decision on the current appeal is impeccable.  The proposed appeal to this Court has no prospect of succeeding. Moreover there is no appearance of any miscarriage of justice where nothing is put forward suggesting that Mr Headley had any realistic defence.

Solicitors:

Crown Law Office, Wellington