A Korean man allegedly run over by a high-profile finance analyst is giving a different version of events to the Auckland District Court to what he originally told police.
A Korean man who was allegedly run over by a high-profile finance analyst in a road rage incident says poor translation is to blame for inconsistencies in his accounts of the incident.
The Crown says Forsyth Barr senior analyst Guy Hallwright - who faces a charge of causing grievous bodily harm - hit and ran over Song Jin Kim before driving off in September 2010.
Mr Hallwright denies this.
Mr Kim has been giving evidence at Mr Hallwright's trial in the Auckland district court, which is set to run until Friday.
The alleged incident occurred after both men were involved in a confrontation at a set of traffic lights, which involved finger gestures being exchanged.
Both vehicles drove a short distance before pulling up at the carpark of Galbraith’s pub on Mt Eden Rd.
Mr Hallwright allegedly got out of his car and approached Mr Kim’s vehicle, opening the door and arguing with him before slamming the door again.
The Crown says Mr Kim then got out of his car and approached Mr Hallwright’s vehicle, yelling pounding on the bonnet, before Mr Hallwright ran over him and drove off.
Mr Kim originally told police Mr Hallwright approached his car and opened the door only after both cars were stopped.
However, under questioning by Mr Hallwright’s lawyer, Paul Davison, QC, Mr Kim claimed Mr Hallwright also earlier approached his car and opened the door when both cars were in the middle of the road.
Mr Kim also previously told police he pounded on Mr Hallwright’s bonnet, but yesterday told the court that was not correct.
He now claims the hand prints left on the bonnet of Mr Hallwright’s car were made when he was hit by the car, forcing him onto it.
Mr Davison told Mr Kim there are apparent differences between what he told police and what he is telling the court.
Mr Kim replied: “The Korean interpreter made several mistakes.”
Mr Davison, however, accused Mr Kim of changing his story.
There were numerous communication problems during yesterday’s court proceedings.
At one point, when Mr Davison attempted to ask Mr Kim about the braking of his car causing a screech, this was relayed by the interpreter as “scratch”, resulting in an answer far removed from the point Mr Davison was trying to communicate.
Judge Raoul Neave also needed to remind Mr Kim several times to listen and answer Mr Davison’s questions, as his answers often did not address the questions.
The trial continues today.
