The Trial Without a Crime Scene
Stuff has just launched The Trial - a new podcast with an innovation in court reporting.
A case unfolds in new Stuff podcast, The Trial. Image: Vojtech Okenka
Journalists from The Press newsroom in Christchurch have spent dozens of days at the High Court and pored over hundreds of hours of recordings to create a compelling insight into the New Zealand justice system.
The series covers the trial of David Charles Benbow, a Christchurch man accused of killing long-time friend, 49-year-old Michael McGrath, after he started a relationship with Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green.
in May 2017, McGrath disappeared, almost without trace, with the case finally going to trial in February 2023.
The series is playing out as the case unfolds and is hosted and produced by Press journalist Michael Wright (White Silence, The Long Read).
“What makes the trial so compelling is that there was no crime scene, no weapon and no body,” says Wright.
“The Crown 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.”
The first episodes of the podcast are being released before the trial ends - Stuff has scrupulously followed rules around court reporting with a responsible, fair and balanced look at a hearing that’s been running for almost two months with more than 130 witnesses.
“We’re really proud of The Trial,” says Stuff’s Chief Audio Officer, Nadia Tolich.
As part of its back-catalogue, Tolich cites Stuff’s investigative podcasts Black Hands, The Commune, and Gone Fishing as placing the media organisation as New Zealand's home of world-class true crime podcasts.
“We’re confident Kiwi audiences - and people overseas - will be fascinated by this deep dive into a gripping case,” she says.
The Press editor Kamala Hayman, says The Trial offers a rare insight into the real-world drama of an unfolding murder trial.
"Listeners are put right into the courtroom to hear key witnesses give their evidence relating to the disappearance of Michael McGrath. But what's the truth?"
The first two episodes of The Trial are now live with further episodes to cover key evidence, before a final wrap-up that will review the verdict.
The Trial is available on Stuff, Apple Podcasts and Spotify. Visit www.stuff.co.nz/the-press for full written coverage of the case from The Press senior journalist - and Black Hands podcast presenter - Martin van Beynen.
