Inquiry after killer writes to juror

George Baker at his trial for the murder of Liam Ashley. Photo / Dean Purcell

Justice Minister Simon Power is considering whether jurors' addresses should ever be handed out, amid reports a convicted killer was able to contact a member of the jury that this month found him guilty of kidnapping charges.

On August 2, George Charlie Baker was found guilty by an Auckland District Court jury of kidnapping, threatening to kill and assault with an offensive weapon.

The charges were laid after Baker took an elderly prisoner hostage with a weapon and attempted to kidnap a prison officer in Auckland's Paremoremo Prison in August last year.

Baker committed the crime while serving an 18-year sentence for the murder of Liam Ashley, who was killed in the back of a prison van almost four years ago.

He allegedly sent a letter to the juror midway through his trial after getting her contact details from a list of jurors' names, addresses and occupations.

Baker was entitled to access the list under supervision because he represented himself at the trial.

A spokesman for Mr Power said he was briefed by officials from the Justice Ministry this morning.

He was now considering whether it was necessary for the addresses of jurors to be given out.

He would make a decision in the near future - likely within weeks, the spokesman said.

Mr Power would not comment on the specifics of the Baker case but was concerned enough about it to look into the matter.

Prime Minister John Key said reports Baker had contacted a juror were disturbing and changes may need to be made.

"It seems unacceptable that someone that's before the courts would be able to contact a juror in that way," he told NewstalkZB today.

It was understood Baker's letter to the middle-aged married woman was not intimidating, but contained romantic overtures.

Ministry deputy courts secretary Andrew Hampton said he was taking the matter very seriously.

"This hasn't happened before, certainly in my time in the ministry. Jurors need to be assured that they won't be subject to even a hint of intimidation, so that's why we're taking it very seriously."

- NZPA