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Hawke’s Bay
John Banks’ lawyer, David Jones QC, says the people he has labelled the “Dotcom witnesses”: Mr Dotcom, his estranged wife Mona and bodyguard Wayne Tempero gave false evidence in court last week.
Today, the second week of Mr Bank’s trial began, and Mr Jones delivered his opening defence submissions.
Mr Jones told the court: “there has been an absolutely litany of untruths” and evidence from the defence witnesses would prove it.
Mr Banks is on trial for filing a false electoral return in the Auckland High Court before Justice Ed Wylie.
The defence disputes the prosecution’s evidence surrounding events at the Dotcom mansion during which the prosecution says Mr Banks asked Mr Dotcom’s donation to be split into two.
Mr Jones told the court Mr Banks will not give evidence at his own trial, saying his police statement, presented last week, was enough.
Defence witnesses to give evidence over the next few days include Mr Banks’ wife Amanda, his media adviser, Scott Campbell, and Rodney MP Mark Mitchell.
Mr Jones told the court a number of other witnesses will also give testimony to Mr Banks’ character.
“The essence of the defence is quite simple. Mr Banks did not do anything wrong. He did not know the falsity of any return,” Mr Jones told the court.
Before the morning break a statement of evidence from Mr Bank’s wife's employer at Remuera Life Pharmacy was read. The statement confirmed Ms Banks worked on the day the Dotcom witnesses say she was at the mansion.
Ms Banks is due to give evidence this afternoon.
Victoria Young
Mon, 26 May 2014
Mon, 26 May 2014
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Banks’ lawyer: 'there has been an absolute litany of untruths'
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