Press Release, 12 January 2009

The Lundy Murders - Shocking New Evidence

In an exclusive, in-depth investigation - North & South magazine presents new evidence, undisclosed police information and expert opinion that raise major questions about the double-murder conviction of Mark Lundy.

In 2002 Lundy was found guilty of murdering his wife Christine and seven-year-old daughter Amber by bludgeoning them with a tomahawk. He was sentenced to 20 years without parole. And there were few New Zealanders who followed the trial - the brutality of the murders, the apparent lies and deceptions, the prostitute Lundy hired on the night of the killings - who doubted he got what he deserved.

But did Lundy get a fair trial? North & South - on sale today - uncovers crucial evidence and information never presented to the jury. In "The Lundy Murders: What the Jury Didn't Hear" the full story is told for the first time - with exclusive research, interviews and photographs.

The police case rested on a specific time of death - but the international experts who re-examined the evidence for North & South were scathing of many of the pathologists' conclusions. Professor Derrick Pounder, head of the Centre for Forensic and Legal Medicine at Dundee University said: "My personal opinion is that estimating time of death to an accuracy of within half an hour based upon stomach contents amounts to little more than quackery."

As part of the investigation North & South re-created Lundy's drive from Wellington to Palmerston North and return - as quickly as possible without endangering other traffic. Both trips' average speeds were nearly 40km/h slower than he supposedly achieved. Senior writer Mike White also questioned foremost motor-racing expert Phil Kerr, who has driven a race-prepared five-litre, V8 Holden Monaro at Pukekohe racetrack and averaged less than 130km/h. The jury, however, had to believe Lundy averaged 120km/h in his breakneck 300km journey - without one other motorist noticing him.

"The Lundy Murders" investigates all the crucial evidence - from eyewitness accounts to Lundy's cellphone calls and examination of the family's computers.

North & South asks: if the benchmark for justice in New Zealand is "beyond reasonable doubt", should Mark Lundy's case be viewed again dispassionately and with all the available evidence? Read this gripping investigative story - and decide for yourself.

-Ends-

About North & South

Current Affairs Magazine of the Year at the 2008 Magazine Publishing Awards.

North & South is the most read Current Affairs and Business magazine in New Zealand. Published monthly, North & South delivers journalism excellence and reports with integrity and passion about the heart (and, yes, sometimes the heartache) of what it is to be a New Zealander.

About ACP Magazines

ACP Magazines is a division of ACP Media. It publishes some of the country's most popular magazines, including Woman's Day, The Australian Women's Weekly, Next, Taste, Metro and North & South.

ENDS

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