The Trial
Episodes
Trailer: Quarantine Nation
03 Mar 2026
Contributed by Lukas
A lethal virus. A drastic lockdown. A nation turned upside down. From the makers of acclaimed podcasts The Commune, True Story and Witi Underwater,...
Polkinghorne Bonus: Sentenced on drug charges
01 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the final chapter of the trial of Philip Polkinghorne, the former Auckland eye surgeon found not guilty of murdering his wife, he has been sentenc...
Polkinghorne E13: The Verdict
27 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
After nearly two months and more than 80 witnesses, the jury returns with their finding in the murder trial of Philip Polkinghorne. WARNING: This podc...
Polkinghorne E12: The closing arguments - murder or suicide?
25 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The defence and the prosecution present their final arguments after nearly two months of evidence. The Judge delivers a summing up and gives the jury ...
Polkinghorne E11: ‘I'm never good enough’
23 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
For the first time, the court hears emails, found by the defence, that Pauline Hanna wrote to herself. Psychiatrists talk about the possible impact of...
Polkinghorne E10: Injuries and interpretations
20 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Expert defence pathologists offer different conclusions about the cause of death to their Crown counterparts. Colleagues at Auckland Eye describe Polk...
Polkinghorne E9: ‘There was no murder’
16 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the defence case begins, Polkinghorne’s lawyer describes the police as being “intoxicated” with the idea of murder, and cautions the jury aga...
Polkinghorne E8: ‘I haven't come this far to walk away’
11 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Details of Philip Polkinghorne’s relationships with wife Pauline Hanna and Sydney-based sex worker Madison Ashton emerge when police scrutinise thei...
Polkinghorne E7: ‘Some things are going to come out’
09 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As the Crown case nears its end, a close friend and colleague alleges Polkinghorne made sex and meth admissions that “shocked” her. There are ques...
Polkinghorne E6: The disappearing mark
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Two pathologists face detailed questions about the significance of a mark on Pauline Hanna’s neck, with one asked why they didn’t mention it in th...
Polkinghorne E5: ‘He wants to have sex with everybody’
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In a recording played to the jury, Pauline Hanna talks about the state of her marriage to eye surgeon Philip Polkinghorne and their sex life. Close fr...
Polkinghorne E4: ‘She’s never hit me, I’ve never hit her’
21 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The jury hears Polkinghorne for the first time as the prosecution plays his police interview from the day his wife died. While answering questions abo...
Polkinghorne E3: An unprecedented search
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
With Philip Polkinghorne being interviewed at the police station, detectives decide to step up their search of his house. Amid tests for fingerprints,...
Polkinghorne E2: Code 1C for suspicious
10 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
As detectives comb the home of Philip Polkinghorne and Pauline Hanna, questions quickly emerge about the rope involved in her death. The jury hears Po...
Polkinghorne E1: 'My wife's dead'
01 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
On Easter Monday 2021, police were called to the home of a successful professional couple in the affluent Auckland suburb of Remuera. They found the b...
Polkinghorne trailer
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Police are called to the multi-million dollar home of a successful couple to find the body of Pauline Hanna, also known as Pauline Polkinghorne. A ye...
Benbow Bonus 2: Benbow's new legal battle
25 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
There’s another twist in this trial. Stay subscribed to hear the latest developments. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoice...
Benbow Bonus 1: 'I despise you' - the victims speak
06 Mar 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Almost seven years after murdering his mate Michael McGrath, David Benbow is sentenced for his crime. But not before facing McGrath's loved ones in co...
Benbow E8: Resolution
13 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After months of evidence from dozens of witnesses across two trials, the jury returns - with a verdict. Michael McGrath's family reacts and Martin Van...
Benbow E7: The retrial of David Benbow
11 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With the jury in the original trial unable to reach a verdict, David Charles Benbow finds himself back in the dock. And three key areas of evidence ar...
Benbow E6: Not quite the end
27 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After listening intently to more than 100 witnesses over two months, the jury left the courtroom to begin its deliberations. Those left behind waited....
Benbow E5: 'Did you do it?'
22 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
As the investigation intensified, David Benbow's behaviour prompted questions from close friends, and police exploited his interest in the media cover...
Benbow E4: The burden of proof
21 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
After playing parts of David Benbow's police interviews to the court, the prosecution makes much of his inability to fully account for his movements o...
Benbow E3: Monday, 9am
31 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Did Michael McGrath keep an appointment to shift some wood at David Benbow’s place? The prosecution says that’s where - and when - he was murdered...
Benbow E2: The love triangle
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
One relationship faltered and another blossomed. Police argued that was a motive for murder. Podcasts like this take lots of time and resources to pro...
Benbow E1: The disappearance of Michael McGrath
29 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
When Michael McGrath started looking less scruffy, his friends started talking. When he failed to show for his weekly dinner with his mum, his new par...
Benbow trailer
24 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In May 2017 49-year-old builder Michael McGrath disappeared - almost without trace. No crime scene was ever found. No weapon was ever found. No body w...