Ministry still to reach a verdict over the return of the Jedi

By RICHARD PAMATATAU

The jury is still out on whether the Ministry of Justice will promote the use of advanced computer technology to present evidence in court.

Barry Ebert, ministry corporate affairs spokesman, said evidence display technology such as Jedi, made by Dunedin's Animation Research, might be used in the courtroom only at the discretion of the presiding judge.

The ministry has facilitated the use of Jedi in a small number of trials where the judge has agreed to its use.

Animation Research is being presented with a Merit Certificate today by the Dunedin police, who found its system helpful in bringing a conviction against Dunedin psychiatrist Colin David Bouwer for killing his wife.

The paperless system was used to help process a mountain of documents and video evidence during the depositions hearings.

Jedi is being used at present at a trial in Dunedin which concerns the death of a 23-month-old girl. Detective Sergeant Brett Roberts, who is working on that trial, said the computer system was speeding up the processing of information.

Ebert said the ministry had no plans to buy the Jedi product. Should it decide to pursue the purchase of evidence display technology, an open tender process would be used and any suitable products assessed competitively.

The ministry is working towards the gradual introduction of technology to the court system to improve efficiency and access to justice. Priorities include improvements in evidence recording technology and the introduction of video conferencing facilities.

Animation Research managing director Ian Taylor said he was happy to work with the ministry on evaluating his company's product.