Latest news with #HelenGregory
RNZ News
8 hours ago
- RNZ News
'Dignity, compassion and support' family showed during Khandallah murder trial 'incredible'
The lead investigator in the death of Helen Gregory says family members of the victim, and her murderer, have shown compassion and dignity through the "really terrible nightmare" of a month-long trial. Julia DeLuney was found guilty of her mother's murder at the High Court in Wellington on Wednesday afternoon. She cried quietly, but remained stony faced, as the verdict was handed down. Relatives and friends of Gregory and DeLuney cried in the public gallery, with many having given evidence in the trial, or watched from the beginning. Detective Senior Sergeant Tim Leitch told media outside the court it had been a difficult investigation, and a difficult trial. "I would like to specifically acknowledge the family and friends of Helen Gregory, who've had to endure this terrible and tragic journey," he said. "Many of them have been in court every day over the past month, and have sat through the most difficult and confronting evidence" which "must have been almost unbearable at times". "The dignity, compassion and support the family have demonstrated every day of the trail has been incredible, and also quite remarkable." He said he hoped the verdict would provide them with answers and certainty. He also acknowledged the efforts, commitment and professionalism of the officers involved in the investigation over the past 18 months. "These investigations are particularly taxing on our staff." Helen Gregory. Photo: Supplied Gregory's friend Liz Askin sat through the trial, describing her friend as "an intelligent, kind, generous, prayerful woman full of vitality and hope for the future". "She loved her family deeply following their achievements and going to their sporting events and family gatherings," and it was "with great sadness that her life was cut short". Cheryl Thomson was another of Gregory's friends who waited at the court for the verdict. She had been there every day after giving evidence herself. "This is the place we come to for justice in New Zealand and I am pleased we have now got it," she said. "Helen is sadly missed by all of us, holds a special place in our hearts and will never be forgotten." She thanked Detective Sergeant Hayley Adams for her work, and that of her team. "Julia won't now need to worry that she doesn't own her own home," she said. "The roof over her head for many years will be provided for her."
RNZ News
11 hours ago
- RNZ News
Julia DeLuney found guilty of murdering her mother, Helen Gregory, in Khandallah
Julia Deluney in the High Court at Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii Julia DeLuney has been found guilty of the murder of her 79-year-old mother, Helen Gregory. Gregory was found dead on 24 January, 2024 at her home in the Wellington suburb of Khandallah. DeLuney denied the charge, and has been on trial at the High Court in Wellington since 23 June. The Crown argued she attacked her mother with a heavy object, possibly motivated by financial incentives or following a confrontation over stolen cash, and staged the scene to look like a fall from the attic. The defence argued it was a case of mistaken identity . Crown prosecutor Stephanie Bishop laid out their version of events for the jury during her closing argument , saying what began as a night to book ballet tickets ended in some kind of confrontation or argument, which saw DeLuney violently attacking her mother. Julia DeLuney and Helen Gregory on January 9, 2024, in a photo retrieved from DeLuney's phone by police. Photo: SUPPLIED She said the jury might never know exactly what happened, but they did know DeLuney was at the scene that night, and that according to a forensic scientist, the scene had been staged - which she said would only benefit DeLuney, not a burglar. She said the multiple changes of clothes and disposing of unknown items in a passing rubbish truck the following morning pointed towards her guilt. But Defence lawyer Quentin Duff argued throughout that the police investigation had been "one-eyed" and they had failed to consider anyone else for the murder . Julia DeLuney at Wellington High Court. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii He pointed to evidence such as a hair found on the hand of the body, which still had a root attached and was able to be DNA tested, which ruled out DeLuney and Gregory as DNA matches. He told the jury in the 90-minute window where DeLuney had left her mother following a fall from the attic, someone else arrived and violently attacked her. He said nobody could have caused those injuries without having hatred for Gregory - and there was no sign of that from DeLuney. More to come... Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
2 days ago
- RNZ News
Jury retires in Julia DeLuney murder trial
Julia DeLuney is accused of murdering her 79-year-old mother. Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii The jury has retired to consider its verdict in the trial of Julia DeLuney, accused of violently murdering her 79-year-old mother. Helen Gregory was killed on 24 January, 2024, at her home in the Wellington suburb of Khandallah. DeLuney has been on trial at the High Court in Wellington since 23 June, with the Crown arguing she attacked her mother with a heavy object, possibly motivated by financial incentives or following a confrontation over stolen cash, and staging the scene to look like a fall from the attic. But the defence said it was a case of mistaken identity, calling the police investigation "one-eyed" and arguing they didn't properly investigate alternative suspects - for example, a mysterious door-knocker late that same night further down the street, who was not there when the homeowner opened the door. Justice Peter Churchman urged the jury members to carefully consider the evidence they had heard over the course of the trial, in line with each side's closing argument. He reminded the jurors that although DeLuney had been shown to lie, according to the evidence of a number of witnesses including financial experts and family members, it did not mean she necessarily committed the crime of murder. It is not in dispute that Helen Gregory was killed on the night of 24 January, 2024. What the jury must decide is whether it was DeLuney who killed her. The possible outcome is murder or nothing - the Crown is not pursuing a charge of manslaughter. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
Midday Report Essentials for Monday 21st July 2025
money crime 7 minutes ago In today's episode, more expensive food, rents and power prices have driven inflation to a 12-month high; Hamilton police are still looking for the people and weapons involved in a deadly brawl in Hamilton over the weekend; Julia DeLuney's defence says there's no evidence of a breakdown in the relationship between her and her mother, Helen Gregory, that would explain a murder; Residents in an Auckland North Shore neighbourhood have a literal cat burglar on their hands.
RNZ News
3 days ago
- RNZ News
DeLuney trial: Defence argues no breakdown in relationship between accused and mother
Julia DeLuney's defence says there's no evidence of a breakdown in the relationship between her and her mother, Helen Gregory, that would explain a murder. Kate Green spoke to Charlotte Cook. To embed this content on your own webpage, cut and paste the following: See terms of use.
