Developer's Defence Crumbles in Auckland Glass Attack Trial
A high-stakes courtroom drama unfolded in Auckland this week as prosecutors dismantled what they called an "absolutely ridiculous" defence in a case that has rocked the property development community.
Montgomerie, 58, faces charges of wounding with reckless disregard for safety after allegedly attacking a fellow property developer with a cocktail glass at a Ponsonby party in 2021. The victim, whose identity remains protected pending name suppression proceedings, required emergency surgery at Auckland Hospital for a 2.5cm deep neck wound.
A Tale of Two Versions
The defendant's testimony revealed a pattern of shifting narratives that prosecutors argue undermines his credibility. While Montgomerie maintains the incident was an accidental "defensive blocking move" during what he characterised as "light ribbing" and "banter," Crown prosecutor Ruby van Boheemen painted a starkly different picture.
"It wasn't accidental, Mr Montgomerie. It was an intentional and forceful strike to the neck, wasn't it?" van Boheemen challenged during cross-examination. "You aimed at his neck with your glass when he wasn't looking?"
The prosecution highlighted glaring inconsistencies in Montgomerie's account, including text messages sent the day after the incident where he claimed "the guy punched me and came off second best." This contradicted his court testimony that no actual punch was thrown.
Industry Tensions Exposed
The case has exposed underlying tensions within Auckland's property development sector, with allegations of contractor cheating and professional rivalries playing out in a public forum. Montgomerie acknowledged long-standing rumours about his business practices but claimed he wasn't resentful, dismissing them because "everybody knows what [the complainant] is like."
The incident occurred at what was described as an upmarket gathering of industry peers, making the alleged attack particularly shocking given the professional setting and potential witnesses.
Questions of Accountability
Perhaps most damaging to Montgomerie's defence was the prosecution's challenge to his claim of ignorance about the severity of the injury. Van Boheemen argued it was implausible that such a significant wound, requiring immediate medical attention, would go unnoticed before the defendant's hasty departure from the party.
"It would have been very clear to you after the incident that something was seriously wrong," the prosecutor asserted. "That's why you left the party, isn't it? A suggestion otherwise is just absolutely ridiculous."
The defendant and his partner both denied noticing the gathering crowd around the injured man or hearing calls for them to stop as they walked to their waiting Uber.
Legal Strategy Under Scrutiny
Montgomerie's legal team faced additional challenges when their client's police statement, drafted by his then-lawyer, contradicted his courtroom testimony. The statement described the complainant throwing "a punch towards my head," while his testimony suggested only the beginning of such a motion.
The defendant attempted to explain these discrepancies by claiming the statement was merely a "high-level abbreviation" and that he was "not much of a texter," leading to what he called "indelicately put" descriptions.
Defence lawyer Ron Mansfield KC noted that his client had suffered an unrelated head injury since the 2021 incident, necessitating dimmed courtroom lighting and frequent breaks during testimony.
Community Impact
The case has resonated beyond Auckland's property circles, raising questions about professional conduct and accountability in high-pressure business environments. The incident's occurrence at a social gathering among industry peers adds layers of complexity to professional relationships and community trust.
Judge Paul Murray indicated that jury deliberations would likely begin following closing addresses, bringing this closely watched case toward its conclusion.
The trial represents more than just a criminal proceeding; it's a test of how New Zealand's justice system handles cases involving professional elites and questions of privilege, accountability, and truth in our evolving society.