Benbow trailer

In May 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared - almost without trace. No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body was ever found. So how could his longtime friend be arrested and charged with murder? In February 2023, the trial of David Charles Benbow finally began. Benbow stood accused of murdering McGrath because he’d started a relationship with Benbow’s former partner, Joanna Green. The prosecution said that, while based entirely on circumstantial evidence, its case was so comprehensive there could be no doubt Benbow was guilty. The defence said detectives were biased, working hard to build a case against Benbow after he was identified as a prime suspect - by Green. Stuff, New Zealand’s award-winning leader in true crime podcasts (Black Hands, The Commune, Gone Fishing) presents The Trial. Journalists from the Christchurch Press newsroom spent weeks at the High Court and pored over hundreds of hours of recordings to create a compelling and in-depth insight into New Zealand’s criminal justice system. Hear the evidence. Follow the twists and turns. Wait - for the verdict. WARNING: This series contains some strong language and content that may upset some people. For full written coverage of the trial from The Press newsroom in Christchurch, visit stuff.co.nz. Need more great true crime podcasts? Check out Stuff's full catalogue here. CREDITS Scripted, hosted and produced by Michael Wright Sound design, audio editing and mixing by Connor Scott Visual design: Kathryn George Associate producer: Jen Black Consulting producer: Adam Dudding Legal checks: Genevieve O'Halloran and Courtney Grenfell Executive producer: Chris Reed Special thanks: Kamala Hayman, Martin van Beynen and Jake Kenny from The Press newsroom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Om Podcasten

NEW: Season 2 - Police are called to the multi-million dollar Auckland home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna. A year and a half later, her husband, eye surgeon Philip John Polkinghorne is charged with murder, a charge he denies. Presented by Philippa Tolley. Season 1 - In 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared. No body, crime scene or weapon were found. So how could his longtime friend, David Benbow, be arrested and charged with murder? Presented by Michael Wright. WARNING: This series talks about suicide and content that may upset some people. If you need help, text or call 1737, 24 hours. Podcasts like this one take a lot of time and resources to create. To help cover some of that cost, you will hear some ads during this podcast. For an ad-free experience and early access to new episodes subscribe to Stuff Extra. Subscribe on Apple or Spotify, or go to listen.stuff.co.nz/extra to get access to this and other Stuff True Crime podcasts ad-free… and you’ll be helping us make more great podcasts, like this one.