A jury has found Philip Polkinghorne not guilty of the murder of his wife, Pauline Hanna, who was found dead in their Remuera home in April 2021.

Polkinghorne remained expressionless as the not guilty verdict was delivered.

RNZ reported the courtroom was silent as the foreman read the decision.

Members of Polkinghorne’s family were seen crying in the public gallery, while Pauline Hanna’s relatives appeared stunned by the outcome.

Polkinghorne, along with his legal team, stayed in the courtroom as Justice Lang prepared to schedule sentencing for methamphetamine-related charges to which Polkinghorne had previously pleaded guilty.

The trial, held in the High Court at Auckland, lasted for eight weeks, featuring testimony from over 80 witnesses.

The Crown had alleged that Polkinghorne killed his wife after what they suggested could have been a violent altercation, potentially influenced by his use of methamphetamine.

In contrast, the defence argued that Hanna had taken her own life, citing her long battle with depression and the significant stress she faced in her work during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The jury, made up of three men and eight women, requested to re-hear some audio recordings before completing their deliberations, which concluded earlier today.

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