Criminal cases

The summary delves into a podcast presented by Alison Laurie that casts light on queer-related criminal cases in Aotearoa New Zealand during the 1950s. Laurie, an accomplished academic, writer, and activist, explores the historical intersection of homosexuality and crime, particularly cases where queer persons were victims and how their sexual orientation impacted the perception and treatment of these cases by the media and the judiciary.

The podcast begins by discussing the case of Charles Evan MacKay, the Mayor of Wanganui, whose career imploded in 1920 when they attempted to murder Walter D'Arcy Cresswell, a poet who threatened to reveal MacKay's homosexuality. MacKay's imprisonment stirred local and widespread anti-homosexual sentiment and had a chilling effect on the community and the arts scene they supported.

The narrative then uncovers the 1935 Mareo case, where Eric Mareo was convicted of murdering their wife, Thelma, out of jealousy over their lesbian affair with Freda Stark. Lesbianism was framed as part of an immoral theater lifestyle, which propagated further negative stereotypes. Freda Stark faced immense public scrutiny and ostracization during and after the trial.

The program discusses another infamous case from 1954 involving teenagers Juliet Hulme and Pauline Parker, who murdered Parker's mother in Christchurch. The sensational case brought immense attention to the supposed connection between lesbianism and crime, as the girls were depicted by the media and in court as ill-minded lesbians in a state of shared delusion.

Additionally, Laurie touches on a 1955 newspaper report depicting a grim portrayal of the queer community in Auckland. This coverage suggested a subculture with its own ethics, fraught with internal conflicts, and was used to amplify the notion of criminality within the queer population.

Laurie proceeds to cite a 1944 case where a New Zealand soldier was acquitted for the murder of an American soldier on the grounds of self-defense against a supposed homosexual advance. Moreover, the podcast covers the 1960 incident involving Roy Jackson. Jackson's death at the hands of two seamen, who were acquitted, sent a dangerous message that violence against homosexuals might go unpunished.

The presentation concludes with the controversial 1967 trial of Doreen Davis for the murder of Raewyn Petley. The case was layered with complex narratives involving their relationship, homosexual stereotypes, and mental health issues, ending with Davis' acquittal under the argument of automatism triggered by Petley's advances.

Overall, the summary encapsulates the key themes conveyed by Alison Laurie in the podcast: the historical struggles of the queer community against legal and societal prejudice, the impact of these biases on the handling of criminal cases, and the wider implications for perceptions of queer individuals in the media and judicial system. The original podcast is part of a larger body of work and is housed at the Alexander Turnbull Library, accessible online for those interested in exploring the content further.

This summary is created using Generative AI. Although it is based on the recording's transcription, it may contain errors or omissions. Click here to learn more about how this summary was created.

Alison Laurie

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