Greg King (lawyer)
Greg King | |
---|---|
Born | Newlands, Wellington, New Zealand | 17 September 1969
Alma mater | University of Otago |
Occupation(s) | Criminal defence lawyer, broadcaster |
Spouse | Catherine Milnes |
Children | 2 |
Gregory James King (17 September 1969 – 3 November 2012)[1] was a New Zealand criminal defence lawyer and broadcaster. He has been described as "one of this country's finest legal brains".
Early life and education
Of Ngāti Tūwharetoa descent, King was born in Whanganui and grew up in Tūrangi,[2] where his father was a prison officer. He was head prefect at Tongariro High School in 1987.[3] The following year, he represented New Zealand as one of 32 pavilion hosts in the World Expo in Brisbane, Australia.[1] King studied law at the University of Otago, graduating (LLB) in 1992. He was admitted to the bar on 14 May 1993 at Dunedin High Court.[1]
Legal career
In 1996, King became the "youngest New Zealand lawyer to appear as lead in a murder trial and over the rest of his career he represented over 50 clients who were charged with murder."
The New Zealand Law Society's summary of King's involvement in precedent-making cases includes the following: "He successfully argued in 2009 that Auckland liquor shop owner Virender Singh had exercised his rights to defend himself and his shop with a hockey stick against five teenagers. He was also counsel in the first and second ever successful criminal appeals to the Supreme Court. The first of these, R v Timoti [2006] 1 NZLR 323, 21 CRNZ 804, resulted in the overturning of a murder conviction from 1999, with the appeal focusing on the partial defence of provocation. Another Supreme Court success came in R v Wi [2010] 2 NZLR 11, 24 CRNZ 731, which reversed several lower court decisions and held that adducing evidence of a lack of previous convictions was still admissible under the Evidence Act 2006."[1]
Broadcasting career
King was the creator and host of The Court Report, a weekly television programme dealing with contemporary legal issues. The programme aired on TVNZ 7 before the station closed down in 2012.[2] The show's format was a panel discussion or interview with legal experts and commentators with the aim of going "behind the headlines of the legal news stories of the day, to inform and educate, as well as entertain the profession and the public at large". In all, King hosted 68 episodes before retiring at the end of 2011. He continued on as an executive producer.[9]
Death
On the morning of 3 November 2012, King was found dead beside his car in
King's wife, Catherine Milnes-King, told the coroner that her husband was publicly slated after the trial of
Law Society president Jonathan Temm said: "Throughout his career he represented clients who were often unpopular and he did that with real ability and determination." Former Labour Party leader David Shearer said: "Greg had one of this country's finest legal brains. There wouldn't be many New Zealanders who hadn't heard of him.[12]
His funeral was attended by 800 mourners "from all walks of life."[13]
Reputation
King has been described as a "theatrical criminal lawyer". After his death, legal experts praised his legal acumen, "which famously included wild-eyed closing arguments". National Criminal Bar Association president Tony Bouchier said: "He was a rising star of our profession... he was tenacious, fearless and had all the attributes that any criminal barrister would want. We have really lost an ally." During his career, he befriended those he met, including perpetrators and victims. He had an amicable relationship with Garth McVicar from the Sensible Sentencing Trust, with whom he had totally opposing views about the justice system.[14]
Personal life
King was married to fellow lawyer Catherine Milnes-King and was the father of two children.[10][13] In 2011, the year before he died by suicide, he was diagnosed with diabetes.[14]
References
- ^ a b c d e f Adlam, Geoff. "Gregory James King, 1969 – 2012". New Zealand Law Society. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ a b Tahana, Yvonne (5 November 2012). "Lawyer received bad health news". NZ Herald.
- ^ Ensor, Blair; Cooke, Michelle (3 November 2012). "High-profile lawyer Greg King found dead". Stuff.co.nz. Fairfax NZ News. Retrieved 3 November 2012.
- Television New Zealand. 6 November 2003. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- NZPA. 9 July 2009. Retrieved 2 October 2011.
- ^ "Weatherston's lawyer victim of hate campaign". The New Zealand Herald. NZPA. 9 August 2009. Retrieved 4 November 2012.
- ^ Hill, Marika (4 November 2012). "The friend of the friendless". Stuff. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ White, Mike (7 January 2018). "Remembering defence lawyer Greg King". Noted. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ Greg King
- ^ a b "Lawyer's death found to be suicide". Radio New Zealand. 17 October 2013. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ Greg King and Christchurch attacks: NZ On Air focuses on 'important' Kiwi stories, Stuff 23 July 2019
- ^ Hill, Marika; Ensor, Blair (4 November 2012). "Greg King: Friend of the friendless". Stuff. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ a b "'Giant of criminal law' farewelled". NZ Herald. 10 November 2012. Retrieved 8 November 2018.
- ^ a b Greg King: Friend of the friendless, Stuff, 4 November 2012