INDEPENDENT NEWS

TV3

Published: Wed 11 Jul 2001 11:46 PM
- Compensation - David Dougherty, the man wrongfully jailed for 3 years on a child rape charge, is to get nearly $900,000 in compensation. The only person ever to be awarded more for being wrongfully jailed was Arthur Allan Thomas, who got a million dollars. After months of deliberation, the Government has finally announced the payout Dougherty will get. Dougherty was freed from prison in 1997 - after a marathon legal battle to prove his innocence. " I acknowledge and I apologise to Mr Dougherty on behalf of the Government and the Justice System, for the wrong that was done to him. " says Justice Minister, Phil Goff.
- Prison Protest - Up to 80 inmates at Mount Eden prison barricaded themselves in a yard tonight. Smoke could be seen rising from the prison where the corrections department confirmed 2 small fires had been lit. 3 News understands the prisoners' action is related to a dispute over the use of pay phones. 2 of 3 payphones had been removed from the yard where the inmates are protesting.
- Victim ID-ed - The body of a man recovered yesterday from a North Island lake, has surrendered an immediate clue. Police have not only identified the victim, but have also discovered they'd been speaking to him, not long before he died. The body was found just north of Whakamaru, and police say the victim had been badly beaten. The victim's blood still lies in the car park, where police forensic experts
- Rankin Revisited - The next chapter in the Christine Rankin saga was played out at parliament today, just a day after her court case finished. In a sometimes heated session of a parliamentary select committee, Social Services Minister Steve Maharey was forced to assure the committee that Rankin's replacement will have nothing to fear from him. Steve Maharey today took his seat beside Dame Margaret Bazley.
- Roos Ruse - MAF is rubbishing claims it high tackled the Australian rugby league team.  Kangaroos coach Chris Anderson is angry that one of his players was fined at Wellington Airport, for bringing dirty boots into the country. Anderson claims it's a ploy to upset the player ahead of Friday's test. The most talked about boots in rugby league. They belong to Australian fullback Darren Lockyer.
- Open Revolt - Michael Campbell may refuse to defend his New Zealand Open golf title in protest at the price of admission for fans. Campbell, and fellow Kiwi Greg Turner, are upset that tournament organisers want to charge around $500 for a 7 day pass. Avid golfer Marty Bouzaid says $500 is a reasonable price to see the great man of golf, Tiger Woods, in action.
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