Dear Crown Law Office,

In December 2007, at the inaugural Innocence Project New Zealand conference, Professor Harlene Hayne from Otago University spoke about her research into the Peter Ellis case. She said that there was a "strong risk" that the complainants' evidence had been contaminated.

Please provide me with all information you hold - including in the minds of officials - about Harlene Hayne's research, including any comments on her research, and any comments about reports of her research.

In 1999, retired High Court judge Sir Thomas Thorp wrote a report into the Ellis case. He advised that there seemed to be no reason why Crown Law could not obtain the opinion of Professor Stephen Ceci in order to advance the case. Has Crown Law read Sir Thomas's report and has it sought Professor Ceci's opinion in respect of any aspect of the Ellis case?

Please contact me if you have any queries regarding this request.

Yours faithfully,

Ross Francis