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22 Feb 2026 19:12
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  •   Home > News > National

    The star witness at a Dunedin murder trial has back-tracked on evidence he gave yesterday

    The star witness at a Dunedin murder trial has back-tracked on evidence he gave yesterday


    Venod Skantha is on trial in the High Court - charged with murdering 16-year-old Amber-Rose Rush.

    But defence lawyer Jonathan Eaton QC suggests the Crown's young witness is actually the one who killed her.

    Yesterday, the teen told the court he was roped into driving Skantha to Amber-Rose's home the night she died - and explicitly remembered cleaning the bloody knife afterwards.

    Now he says he can't remember whether he or Skantha cleaned it.

    © 2026 Newstalk ZB, NZCity

     Other National News
     22 Feb: The Central Stags have won domestic cricket's one day Ford Trophy, after demolishing Canterbury by six wickets in the final
     22 Feb: Belief the issues at the Wellington Phoenix run deeper than just departed coach Giancarlo Italiano
     22 Feb: The Crusaders have been demolished by the Brumbies 50-24 in Christchurch to close out the second week of Super Rugby
     22 Feb: Two people died and another three are in a critical condition, after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 in Marlborough
     22 Feb: Former All Whites goalkeeper Jacob Spoonley hopes the Wellington Phoenix are supporting their glovesman Josh Oluwayemi
     22 Feb: Wellington Phoenix football coach Giancarlo Italiano is stepping down with his head held high
     22 Feb: Christchurch City Council says no previous complaints had been made about two dogs involved in an attack yesterday, that left three people injured
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     Today's News

    Law and Order:
    Police are asking for public help to find John Joseph Paparoa, who is wanted in relation to dishonesty, assault and firearm-related offending 18:57

    Entertainment:
    Paddington Bear is set to bring a marmalade-tinted flourish to this weekend's EE BAFTA Film Awards after being confirmed as a presenter at the ceremony 18:47

    Cricket:
    The Central Stags have won domestic cricket's one day Ford Trophy, after demolishing Canterbury by six wickets in the final 18:37

    General:
    The curtain comes down on the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics overnight 18:27

    International:
    Why has Donald Trump issued Keir Starmer a warning about the Chagos Islands? 18:17

    Entertainment:
    Apple Martin has blamed her spot outbreaks on "stress" 18:17

    Soccer:
    Belief the issues at the Wellington Phoenix run deeper than just departed coach Giancarlo Italiano 18:07

    Rugby:
    The Crusaders have been demolished by the Brumbies 50-24 in Christchurch to close out the second week of Super Rugby 17:57

    Entertainment:
    Kate Hudson wouldn't give any advice to her younger self as she has no regrets - even about her mistakes 17:47

    Accident and Emergency:
    Two people died and another three are in a critical condition, after a two-vehicle crash on State Highway 1 in Marlborough 17:27


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