Story: Violent crime

John Barlow

Wellington businessman John Barlow was convicted of the murders of financiers Eugene and Gene Thomas in 1995 after two earlier trials ended in hung juries. An appeal to the Privy Council in 2009 failed. Barlow always maintained his innocence, even after he was released from prison in 2010. 

Prior to his arrest he identified himself as the main suspect and spoke to Radio New Zealand anonymously. 

Using this item

Alexander Turnbull Library, Dominion Post Collection (PAColl-7327)
Reference: EP/1995/3935

Permission of the Alexander Turnbull Library, National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Sound file from Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision – Radio New Zealand collection. Any re-use of this audio is a breach of copyright. To request a copy of the recording, contact Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision (Murder - Thomas double murder inquiry/Reference number ID CP940223)

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How to cite this page:

Greg Newbold, 'Violent crime - Controversial murder trials, 1940 onwards', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/speech/26501/john-barlow (accessed 7 June 2023)

Story by Greg Newbold, published 5 May 2011, reviewed & revised 18 Mar 2019