Naming Wallace earlier 'could have hurt trial'

Police could have compromised a murder trial if they had released any earlier the name of the prime suspect in the killing of German backpacker Birgit Brauer, says Assistant Commissioner Peter Marshall.

Media following the investigation believed police had a suspect after the discovery of an abandoned Toyota Hilux in the Ohau River on September 28, but police refused to confirm this.
It was not until October 6 that the investigation team released the name and a photograph of Michael Wallace after they were unable to find him.

Police faced flak that they might have compromised the safety of the public.

Mr Marshall said yesterday that releasing Wallace's name could have harmed other aspects of the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.

Giving out information as part of an ongoing investigation was always a delicate balance, he said.

"There is always a need to balance the release of information against public safety and the legal requirements relating to a fair trial."

The eventual release of the name had the desired result when the whole country became involved in the manhunt. Police were flooded with calls.

Wallace was arrested on Saturday after a chase by armed police.

He appeared in the New Plymouth District Court on Monday charged with kidnapping and murder.

Mr Marshall praised the head of the 50-strong inquiry team, who became the police face of the three-week hunt.

"I have the utmost respect for the skill and professionalism of Detective Senior Sergeant Grant Coward.

"He is a very experienced homicide investigator with a proven track record," Mr Marshall said.

Mr Coward said that while the matter was now before the courts, the investigation was far from over.

Forty police, from Taranaki, Taumarunui, Palmerston North and Wanganui, were still working on the case, he said.

"We are still getting good information from the public."

He asked the public to continue to contact the inquiry team.

In particular, he asked for any sightings of a 1988 black and silver Nissan Safari 4WD that Wallace allegedly took from Hokio Beach, near Levin, on October 1 and used until his arrest on October 8.

The vehicle could have been seen in the Himatangi-Tangimoana area and State Highway 3, Mr Coward said.

Police also wanted any sightings of Wallace from September 26.

- NZPA