The trial stemmed from incidents on the night of March 12-13, 2015, starting with an assault by Mr McPeake on his 76-year-old father in Hastings about 6.15pm and ending with his death during an arrest in a carpark at Napier's Westshore Beach, after an officer found his vehicle at 12.49am.
The jury was told throughout the trial nothing any of the officers did had any "causal link" to the death of Mr McPeake who at 179kg was described as morbidly obese and suffering ill-health, had had alcoholism issues, and on the night had taken an array of drugs and was considered potentially armed, dangerous and suicidal. Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk, of Palmerston North, said that among "accepted facts" was that at the time of the incident no one knew the extent of Mr McPeake's heart condition.
Daughter Bianca McPeake, who gave evidence early in the trial, talking of her father's estrangement from his parents and threats against family, health, alcohol and drugs issues, and how she revealed the possibility he could have had a crossbow while being hunted in Hawke's Bay, sat in court throughout the trial but left immediately the verdicts were delivered.
Mr McPeake's brother later told Hawke's Bay Today he would not be commenting on the events.
The court was told that after the discovery of the two-door Honda CRV in the carpark, police launched an arrest squad under the command of acting sergeant Glenn Baker, who drove a patrol car towards Mr McPeake's vehicle, using the lights to illuminate the scene and a louder hailer system to make multiple pleas to the wanted man, telling him he was under arrest and to get out of the vehicle.
His apparent refusal was followed by a decision for six officers to approach the vehicle, three to each side. The windows were smashed with boltcutters and OC Spray, Tasers and police dogs were used to try to get Mr McPeake out. Mr Baker had to retreat after getting glass in his eye.
One officer had a rifle and another a pistol, but they were not presented, and it took almost half-an-hour before Mr McPeake was removed, falling to the ground and starting to convulse as officers used plastic cuff-ties to restrain him.
Mr Baker had retreated after getting glass in his eye, and Mr Knox, the most senior of the staff, called immediately for a defibrillator when he noticed Mr McPeake's condition and the officers started the unsuccessful attempt to save his life. Constable Bryant, the youngest, cradled his head and encouraged him to "hang-in" as the officers carried-out first aid, joined by ambulance staff.
Mr Vanderkolk argued the officers force was disproportionate, but defence counsel Susan Hughes, QC, of New Plymouth (for Knox), Jonathan Krebs, of Napier (for the unnamed officer), Doug Rishworth, of Gisborne (for Simister) and Rachael Adams, of New Plymouth (for Bryant), argued it was justified based on what they knew at the time and the perceived threat to themselves, the public if Mr McPeake were to leave the area, and to the man himself, after some saw what were indications Mr McPeake was about try to drive away.
No crossbow was found at the scene, although there was evidence of a crossbow bolt and emergency flares being in the vehicle, and the officers knew Mr McPeake had assaulted his father with a weapon, leaving a blood-spattered home from which Mr McPeake Snr was taken to hospital by ambulance.
Senior police investigators from outside Hawke's Bay and the Eastern Police District considered there were other options, including retreat, cordon and containment once an officer had removed the keys from the vehicle, although not all were aware the keys had been removed.
The jury was given detailed descriptions of police policy and practice, tactical options frameworks and perceived cumulative risk, and the categories in which Mr McPeake would be placed on what was believed to be the position at the time.
At a press conference following the verdict, Eastern District Commander Superintendent Sandra Venables acknowledged it had been an "extremely difficult time" for the McPeake family, police staff and their families.
"However the public rightly expects that we, as police officers, are held to account for any actions we undertake," she said. "The same prosecution test under the Solicitor General's guidelines applies for police officers, just as it does for any member of the public."
Ms Venables said the matter was thoroughly investigated with assistance from out-of-district staff and was subject to extensive review, with the decision being made that it should be put before the courts to make the final and independent determination.
"It is important the public has trust and confidence in police to do the right thing," she said. "This is ultimately driven not just by our actions but also by our accountability for those actions. It is important that we, as police officers, are open and transparent in every action that we take."
Ms Venables said she respected the decision of the court to name three of the four officers involved, which she believed would have no impact on their ability to do their job.
"They are long serving, well regarded police officers. I'm sure they'll do their jobs excellently."
An employment process is under way involving the four officers and one other, while the Independent Police Conduct Authority has also been investigating.