11 December 2007
MEDIA RELEASE – FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLICATION
Kurt John Owen v The Queen
(SC 25/2007) [2007] NZSC 102
PRESS SUMMARY
This summary is provided to assist in the understanding of the Court’s judgment. It does not comprise part of the
reasons for that judgment. The full judgment with reasons is the only authoritative document. The full text of the
judgment and reasons can be found at
The Supreme Court has dismissed this appeal in which the appellant contended that the verdict of the jury which found
him guilty on five counts of sexual violation was unreasonable. The Court has held that a verdict will be unreasonable
if, having regard to all the evidence, the jury could not reasonably have been satisfied to the required standard of
beyond reasonable doubt that the accused was guilty. In agreement with the Court of Appeal the Court has held that
having regard to all the evidence in the present case the jury could reasonably have been satisfied of the appellant’s
guilt on all counts.
SEE FULL JUDGMENT IN PDF FORMAT:
ENDS