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USA Today
14 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
NBA Finals Game 6 live updates: Pacers vs Thunder score, analysis, TV channel
NBA Finals Game 6 live updates: Pacers vs Thunder score, analysis, TV channel The NBA Finals continue with Game 6 between the Thunder and Pacers. OKC is looking for a championship as Indiana hopes to stay alive. Show Caption Hide Caption Rick Carlisle discusses preparations for Game 6 of the NBA Finals The Pacers head into Game 6 of the NBA Finals trailing 3-2 in the series. The Oklahoma City Thunder are one game away from winning the franchise's second NBA championship. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and the Thunder have a chance to secure that title against the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The first title was won in 1979 while they were known as the Seattle SuperSonics. The franchise relocated to Oklahoma City in 2008. OKC has won the past two games in the series to take the 3-2 lead after initially losing two of the first three games, including the opening in Oklahoma. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton had four points, seven rebounds and six assists in 34 minutes of play in the 120-109 Game 5 loss on Monday. He finished 0-for-6 from the field and scored all four of his points from the free throw line. Haliburton confirmed on Wednesday he's dealing with a calf strain and told reporters he hoped to play in Game 6. He was cleared to play and is in the lineup for this closeout game. It all adds up to a crucial Game 6. USA TODAY Sports will provide the latest updates, highlights, wild plays, analysis and more throughout the game. Follow along. The Pacers are up by 30 points entering the final quarter. These are the biggest blowouts in NBA Finals history: 42 points – Bulls 96, Jazz 54 in Game 3 of 1998 NBA Finals 39 points – Celtics 131, Lakers 92 in Game 6 of 2008 NBA Finals 38 points – Mavericks 122, Celtics 84 in Game 4 of 2024 NBA Finals 36 points – Spurs 113, Heat 77 in Game 3 of 2013 NBA Finals 35 points – Bullets 117, SuperSonics 82 in Game 6 of 1978 NBA Finals The Pacers are up 90-60 as the fourth quarter begins. The Celtics rallied from a 24-point deficit for a 97-91 win against the Lakers in Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals. According to ESPN, that is the biggest single-game comeback in Finals history. The Pacers lead the Thunder 66-42, a 24-point lead, with 8:06 left to go in the third quarter. The Pacers have never won an NBA Finals in team history. This is only the second time since they joined the NBA in 1976 that the Pacers have even made the Finals. If the Pacers hold on to win Game 6, the series-deciding Game 7 will take place at Paycom Center in Oklahoma City, home to the Thunder. The game will be played Sunday at 8 p.m. ET. In the face of potential elimination, the Indiana Pacers are rolling. After outscoring the Oklahoma City Thunder 36-17 in the second quarter, the Pacers rode their defense and perimeter shooting to head into the locker room at halftime with a 64-42 lead. The Pacers have unleashed swarming and physical defense, forcing the Thunder into contested shots and 12 turnovers. That has been the difference thus far, with both teams shooting comparably – the Pacers are actually shooting a lower percentage (44.2%) than the Thunder (44.7%). But Oklahoma City's 12 turnovers, compared to Indiana's two have led to the Pacers shooting 14 more attempts. Unsurprisingly, the Pacers are outscoring the Thunder in points off turnovers by a margin of 16-2. As he has all series long, backup point guard T.J. McConnell provided a massive spark off the bench, scoring eight points, dishing three assists and collecting five rebounds. But the Pacers have six players with at least eight points, with Pascal Siakam leading the way with 13. Similar to Game 4, when the Thunder went just 3-of-16 (18.8%) from 3, Oklahoma City struggled significantly from beyond the arc, hitting just a single 3-pointer on 11 attempts (9.1%). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams have combined for 31 points. The rest of the Thunder have 11. Rick Carlisle is the Pacers' head coach. His lead assistant is Lloyd Pierce. Jim Boylen, Jenny Boucek and Mike Weinar are Indiana's assistant coaches. Pacers veteran point guard T.J. McConnell is 6-1. With 4:16 remaining in the first half, the Indiana Pacers have opened up a 48-35 lead on the Oklahoma City Thunder. The Indiana Pacers mascot is a panther named "Boomer." He was voted into the Mascot Hall of Fame in Whiting, Indiana in 2019. The Indiana Pacers lead the Oklahoma City Thunder 28-25 at the end of the first quarter. The Pacers started like a team that was tight, but they finished the first quarter like one that was fighting for its season. The Thunder, however, responded late. The Pacers missed their first eight shot attempts before ripping off a 19-3 run to take control early in Game 6 of the NBA Finals, opening up a three-point lead. Indiana relied on 3-point shooting – the Pacers hit five shots from deep – and its defense – the Pacers forced OKC into five turnovers – to spark the run. The Pacers were aggressive, attacking Oklahoma City in the paint to get high-percentage shots or open looks via kickouts. The Pacers also got to the line, converting 7-of-10 free throw attempts; the Thunder, by comparison, shot only four free throws, making a pair. Pacers guard Andrew Nembhard and backup forward Obi Toppin lead Indiana with eight points apiece. Tyrese Haliburton, nursing a right calf strain, shot just 1-of-5 in the period, but has four points. Indiana frustrated NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, swarming him to try to contest his shots. He made just one of his first five shots, but finished the quarter with seven points. The Thunder struggled from deep, shooting just 1-of-6 from beyond the arc. Wondering how to watch Game 6 of the NBA Finals between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? Time: 8:30 p.m. ET 8:30 p.m. ET Location: Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) Gainbridge Fieldhouse (Indianapolis) TV: ABC ABC Stream: Fubo, Sling TV Maybe the Pacers just needed to warm up a little. After the Pacers missed their first eight shots and fell into a six-point hole early, they hit six consecutive and 7-of-8 to go on an 19-3 run. The 3-point shot has been the catalyst. Indiana is shooting 45.5% from beyond the arc, with Andrew Nembhard and Obi Toppin each hitting a pair. Tyrese Haliburton also hit his first field goal attempt, a 3-pointer to give the Pacers a 24-17 lead, leading to an OKC timeout with 4:15 to go in the first quarter. ESPN/ABC broadcaster Lisa Salters was present for Game 6 of the NBA Finals in Indiana. Salters missed Game 2 in Oklahoma City on June 8, citing that she was with her mother, who is dealing with a health issue. Salters' partner, Indiana Fever head coach Stephanie White, was not on the sideline for her team's 79-52 victory against the Chicago Sky at the United Center on June 7. The Fever had announced Thursday that White was not going to be on the sideline for the game against the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco on Thursday due to a personal matter. The news led to speculation about Salter's availability for Game 6 tonight. Both offenses have started slowly, though Indiana's has particularly so. The Pacers have missed their first six shot attempts, while the Thunder are 4-of-7 (57.1%) in the early going, to take an 8-2 lead through three minutes. Pacers star point guard Tyrese Haliburton, who started despite a right calf strain, did not appear to be hindered by the injury, at least initially. Haliburton moved around the floor and did not appear to favor the leg, though he missed his first three shot attempts. The good news for Indiana? The Pacers haven't committed a single turnover yet, after they committed 23 in Game 5. Thunder forward Jalen Williams, fresh off of his 40-point masterpiece in Game 5, is 2-for-4 with four points. Just because the Thunder are one win away from their first NBA championship since the franchise moved to Oklahoma City in 2008, doesn't mean that the team is looking to change – not now. When asked if his team would alter its approach, given the magnitude of the game, Thunder coach Mark Daigneault preached consistency. "The same habits that we've bet on over time are what's relevant in these situations," Daigneault said during his pregame news conference. "There's no new material. Same fundamentals on offense and defense are going to matter tonight in the game. Same preparation over the last couple days. Same psychological habits such as that are going to be relevant. "That's why we emphasize them so continuously, so when we're in these high-stakes situations, we're in a mode of familiarity, which I think gives us confidence." What time is Thunder vs Pacers game today? The Oklahoma City Thunder host the Indiana Pacers for Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. The game is scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Watch the NBA Finals with Fubo Where is Game 6 between the Indiana Pacers and Oklahoma City Thunder? The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder for a potential closeout Game 6 of the NBA Finals at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The Oklahoma City Thunder are favorites to win the series vs. the Indiana Pacers in Game 6 of the 2025 NBA Finals, according to BetMGM (odds as of Thursday, June 19): Spread : Thunder (-5.5) : Thunder (-5.5) Moneyline : Thunder (-225); Pacers (+185) : Thunder (-225); Pacers (+185) Over/under: 222.5 The Oklahoma City Thunder enter Game 6 as the favorite to win the 2025 NBA Finals over the Indiana Pacers, according to BetMGM (odds as of Thursday, June 19) Series winner: Thunder (-3000); Pacers (+1250) USA TODAY: Every expert picks the Thunder Ahead of the series opener, all of the NBA experts at USA Today Sports picked the Oklahoma City Thunder to beat the Indiana Pacers in the 2025 NBA Finals Scooby Axson: Thunder in five Thunder in five Jordan Mendoza: Thunder in six Thunder in six Lorenzo Reyes: Thunder in six Thunder in six James Williams: Thunder in six Thunder in six Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder in five USA TODAY: Most pick Thunder in Game 6 Scooby Axson: Thunder 111, Pacers 102 Thunder 111, Pacers 102 Jordan Mendoza : Thunder 113, Pacers 103 : Thunder 113, Pacers 103 James Williams : Pacers 111, Thunder 106 : Pacers 111, Thunder 106 Jeff Zillgitt: Thunder 116, Pacers 103 According to Pacers coach Rick Carlisle, Tyrese Haliburton (calf strain) will play tonight vs. the Oklahoma City Thunder. 'Tyrese will play," Carlisle said in a pregame press conference. "He was tested at 5 p.m. He was strength tested at 5 p.m. and did very well. Went through walkthrough. There's no set minutes limit. We will watch and monitor things very closely from the beginning of the game through the entirety of the game. We'll go from there.' USA TODAY Sports staff has more on Tyrese Haliburton's injury. Oklahoma City Thunder Jalen Williams Chet Holmgren Isaiah Hartenstein Lu Dort Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Indiana Pacers Aaron Nesmith Pascal Siakam Myles Turner Andrew Nembhard Tyrese Haliburton The Indiana Pacers host the Oklahoma City Thunder at 8:30 p.m. ET with coverage on ABC. Game 3 between the Thunder and Pacers is available on ABC. Fans can also stream the action with Sling TV and Fubo, which offers a free trial for new users. All times Eastern; *-if necessary Odds via BetMGM on Saturday, June 16. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (-650) Jalen Williams (+650) Pascal Siakam (+1500) Tyrese Haliburton (+9000) 6 players tied (+50000) The Oklahoma City Thunder have one NBA championship. However, it came in 1979 when the team was the Seattle SuperSonics. They have not won a title since moving to Oklahoma City in 2008. The Indiana Pacers have not won an NBA championship. They have two Eastern Conference titles (2000, 2025). Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Chet Holmgren Jalen Williams Luguentz Dort Alex Caruso Isaiah Joe Cason Wallace Jaylin Williams Aaron Wiggins Kenrich Williams Isaiah Hartenstein Ousmane Diang Nikola Topic Ajay Mitchell Dillon Jones Tyrese Haliburton Pascal Siakam Myles Turner Benedict Mathurin Obi Toppin Andrew Nebhard Aaron Nesmith T.J. McConnell Isaiah Jackson Jarace Walker Ben Sheppard Johnny Furphy James Johnson Thomas Bryant Game 6 assignments: Crew Chief : Zach Zarba (12th Finals; officiated Game 2) : Zach Zarba (12th Finals; officiated Game 2) Referee : Tony Brothers (14th Finals; officiated Game 3) : Tony Brothers (14th Finals; officiated Game 3) Umpire : David Guthrie (Eighth Finals; officiated Game 1) : David Guthrie (Eighth Finals; officiated Game 1) Alternate: Tyler Ford Official assignments are announced at 9 a.m. on the day of the game. Here are the referees assigned to the 2025 NBA Finals. Tony Brothers (14th Finals) David Guthrie (8th Finals) James Capers (13th Finals) Ben Taylor (1st Finals) Marc Davis (14th Finals) Josh Tiven (6th Finals) Tyler Ford (1st Finals) James Williams (5th Finals) Scott Foster (18th Finals) Sean Wright (2nd Finals) John Goble (9th Finals) Zach Zarba (12th Finals) The NBA Finals TV ratings discussion is a classic struggle between the optimist and the pessimist. One headline: "NBA Finals have been most-watched programs since first week of May.' Another headline: 'NBA Finals ratings down 24%.' Two things can be true in this season's Finals between 'small-market' Indiana and Oklahoma City. Yes, ratings are down from last season's Finals between Boston and Dallas, and yes, the Thunder-Pacers Finals have brought in millions of viewers, including a peak of 11.54 million at 11 p.m. ET of Game 3 on Wednesday, June 11. Jeff Zillgitt breaks down the TV ratings for the NBA Finals between the Pacers and Thunder. Eastern Conference finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers def. No. 3 New York Knicks, 4-2 Western Conference finals No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder def. No. 6 Minnesota Timberwolves, 4-1 NBA Finals No. 4 Indiana Pacers vs. No. 1 Oklahoma City Thunder (Thunder lead series 3-2) Winners over the last 20 years. For a full list of champions, visit 2023-24 — Boston Celtics 2022-23 — Denver Nuggets 2021-22 — Golden State Warriors 2020-21 — Milwaukee Bucks 2019-20 — Los Angeles Lakers 2018-19 — Toronto Raptors 2017-18 — Golden State Warriors 2016-17 — Golden State Warriors 2015-16 — Cleveland Cavaliers 2014-15 — Golden State Warriors 2013-14 — San Antonio Spurs 2012-13 — Miami Heat 2011-12 — Miami Heat 2010-11 — Dallas Mavericks 2009-10 — Los Angeles Lakers 2008-09 — Los Angeles Lakers 2007-08 — Boston Celtics 2006-07 — San Antonio Spurs 2005-06 — Miami Heat 2004-05 — San Antonio Spurs
Focus Malaysia
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Focus Malaysia
MCA should treat gutsy Wong Siew Mun as Malaysia's icon of free speech, its ‘poster girl'
PUBLIC perception of MCA as an advocate in championing free speech has skyrocketed of late in tandem with its Pahang Youth chief Wong Siew Mun being summoned to Bukit Aman for disputing a request from the Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission (MCMC) to telcos to collect mobile phone data. For that reason, she was being investigated under Section 505 of the Penal Code and Section 233 of the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA) 1998 respectively for allegedly causing public alarm with the circulation of a statement and misusing network facilities. As MCA president Datuk Seri Wee Ka Siong has pledged to stand firmly with her – and even to provide her with legal assistance – Wong has suddenly found herself endeared to Madani government doubters as a fighter of people's right to freedom of expression. In fact, her courageous action in light of rife speculation of MCA exiting the Barisan Nasional (BN) coalition has given the grand old party of Malaysian Chinese a glimmer of hope to rejuvenate its 'tarnished-beyond-repair' reputation. Articulate with good command of Bahasa Malaysia, the 35-year-old who lost to DAP's Lee Chin Chen in the Bilut state seat contest during the 15th General Election (GE15) has charmed many pro-opposition voices who have begun to look up to MCA to replace the once firebrand DAP who is now a pale shadow of its former self. Interestingly, Wong whose trip to Bukit Aman on June 18 was featured in a video clip on the Facebook of opposition-slant blogger and political activist Ratu Naga received all-rounded applause for daring to 'tear apart the Madani government'. Berated at DAP, some commenters who are charmed with Wong's educated and professional poise even expect MCA to turn the table on DAP which they still perceive as 'seemingly communist and racist'. Only time will tell if MCA can turn over a new leaf by being the eye, ear, nose and mouth for check and balance – and mostly to fill the void created by the so-called 'fang-less' DAP ever since the latter become part of the Madani establishment. The bottom line is whether such role is more easily executed outside the realm of BN which is now a close ally of the Madani administration. – June 20, 2025
News.com.au
a day ago
- Entertainment
- News.com.au
Sarah Jessica Parker reveals ‘unpleasant' part of playing Carrie on Sex and the City: ‘Sobbing'
Sarah Jessica Parker 'wasn't prepared for public commentary' about her physical appearance when Sex and the City debuted in 1998. 'That was really unpleasant at times when people would have opinions — not about the work,' the actress, 60, told podcaster Alex Cooper on Wednesday's episode of Call Her Daddy. While Parker would 'sometimes' get frustrated with viewers' 'misunderstanding' of her character, Carrie Bradshaw, she said it was 'the personal stuff' that really got to her, reports Page Six. 'At that time, I thought I was a fairly confident person,' she shared, explaining that 'it really comes into question and is tested when you're filleted, in a way, when you're opened up.' Despite the pain it caused, Parker said, 'I know you know this: We're better for those kinds of experiences, but not all of us are good at it right away.' When Cooper, 30, argued, 'It doesn't mean it doesn't hurt,' Parker agreed, adding, 'Up to that point, there was no chatter about me. … There was just my work.' When asked point-blank about some of the 'harder comments' she had to hear, the Hocus Pocus star replied, 'I think just discussions of my physical person. Like, stuff that I couldn't change and wouldn't change and had never considered changing — even still after hearing something that was like, 'What? Somebody would say that?'' To Parker, the 'chatter' about her face and body 'didn't feel like it was actually a conversation.' 'I didn't feel like I could sit in a room and someone would say to me, 'You're really unattractive,'' she said. 'And then I could say, 'Wow. First of all, that's hard to hear, but second of all, why do you seem angry about it? Why do you feel it's necessary to say it, to comment?'' The mother of three, who has been married to actor Matthew Broderick since 1997, recalled one specific time when 'a magazine said something really mean' about how she looks. 'It was like a kick in the rubber parts,' she admitted. 'I was just like, 'Why is this a problem? Why is this deserving of your time and why do you seem to delight in saying it?'' Parker confessed that the remark, which she did not repeat, left her 'sobbing because it felt so purposeful.' She believed that was 'the only time [she] really cried about' negative comments about her physical appearance. The Emmy Award winner, who made sure to note that social media has changed the landscape of how the public shares its opinion, wondered whether her critics would 'say it to [her] face.'
Sky News
a day ago
- Sky News
Post Office scandal: 'Hugely significant' evidence unearthed in computer expert's garage
A damning report into the faulty Post Office IT system that preceded Horizon has been unearthed after nearly 30 years - and it could help overturn criminal convictions. The document, known about by the Post Office in 1998, is described as "hugely significant" and a "fundamental piece of evidence" and was found in a garage by a retired computer expert. Capture was a piece of accounting software, likely to have caused errors, used in more than 2,000 branches between 1992 and 1999. It came before the infamous faulty Horizon software scandal, which saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongfully convicted between 1999 and 2015. 1:49 The "lost long" Capture documents were discovered in a garage by a retired computer expert who came forward after a Sky News report into the case of Patricia Owen, a convicted sub-postmistress who used the software. Adrian Montagu was supposed to be a key witness for Pat's defence at her trial in 1998 but her family always believed he had never turned up, despite his computer "just sitting there" in court. Mr Montagu, however, insists he did attend. He describes being in the courtroom and adds that "at some point into the trial" he was stood down by the barrister for Mrs Owen with "no reason" given. Sky News has seen contemporaneous notes proving Mr Montagu did go to Canterbury Crown Court for the first one or two days of the trial in June 1998. "I went to the court and I set up a computer with a big old screen," he says. "I remember being there, I remember the judge introducing everybody very properly…but the barrister in question for the defence, he went along and said 'I am not going to need you so you don't need to be here any more'. "I wasn't asked back." Sky News has reached out to the barrister in Pat Owen's case who said he had no recollection of it. 'An accident waiting to happen' The report, commissioned by the defence and written by Adrian Montagu and his colleague, describes Capture as "an accident waiting to happen", and "totally discredited". It concludes that "reasonable doubt exists as to whether any criminal offence has taken place". It also states that the software "is quite capable of producing absurd gibberish", and describes "several insidious faults…which would not be necessarily apparent to the user". All of which produced "arithmetical or accounting errors". Sky News has also seen documents suggesting the jury in Pat Owen's case may never have seen the report. What is clear is that they did not hear evidence from its author including his planned "demonstration" of how Capture could produce accounting errors. Pat Owen was convicted of stealing from her Post Office branch in 1998 and given a suspended prison sentence. Her family describe how it "wrecked" her life, contributing towards her ill health, and she died in 2003 before the wider Post Office scandal came to light. Her daughter Juliet said her mother fought with "everything she could". "To know that in the background there was Adrian with this (report) that would have changed everything, not just for mum but for every Capture victim after that, I think is shocking and really upsetting - really, really upsetting." The report itself was served on the Post Office lawyers - who continued to prosecute sub-postmasters in the months and years after Pat Owen's trial. 'My blood is boiling' 3:09 Steve Marston, who used the Capture software in his branch, was one of them - he was convicted of stealing nearly £80,000 in September 1998. His prosecution took place four months after the Capture report had been served on the Post Office. Steve says he was persuaded to plead guilty with the "threat of jail" hanging over him and received a suspended sentence. He describes the discovery of the report as "incredible" and says his "blood is boiling" and he feels "betrayed". "So they knew that the software was faulty?," he says. "It's in black and white isn't it? And yet they still pressed on doing what they did. "They used Capture evidence … as the evidence to get me to plead guilty to avoid jail. "They kept telling us it was safe…They knew the software should never have been used in 1998, didn't they?" Steve says his family's lives were destroyed and the knowledge of this report could have "changed everything". He says he would have fought the case "instead of giving in". "How dare they. And no doubt I certainly wasn't the last one…And yet they knew they were convicting people with faulty software, faulty computers." The report is now with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the body investigating potential miscarriages of justice, which is currently looking into 28 Capture cases. A fundamental piece of evidence Neil Hudgell, the lawyer representing more than 100 victims, describes the report as "hugely significant", "seismic" and a "fundamental piece of evidence". "I'm as confident as I can be that this is a good day for families like Steve Marston and Mrs Owen's family," he says. "I think (the documents) could be very pivotal in delivering the exoneration that they very badly deserve." He also added that "there's absolutely no doubt" that the "entire contents" of the "damning" report "was under the noses of the Post Office at a very early stage". He describes it as a "massive missed opportunity" and "early red flag" for the Post Office which went on to prosecute hundreds who used Horizon in the years that followed. "It is a continuation of a theme that obviously has rolled out over the subsequent 20 plus years in relation to Horizon," he says. "...if this had seen the light of day in its proper sense, and poor Mrs Owen had not been convicted, the domino effect of what followed may not have happened." What the Post Office said Sky News approached the former Chief Executive of the Post Office during the Capture years, John Roberts, who said: "I can't recall any discussion at my level, or that of the board, about Capture at any time while I was CEO." A statement from the Post Office said: "We have been very concerned about the reported problems relating to the use of the Capture software and are sincerely sorry for past failings that have caused suffering to postmasters. "We are determined that past wrongs are put right and are continuing to support the government's work and fully co-operating with the Criminal Cases Review Commission as it investigates several cases which may be Capture related." A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: "Postmasters including Patricia Owen endured immeasurable suffering, and we continue to listen to those who have been sharing their stories on the Capture system. "Government officials met with postmasters recently as part of our commitment to develop an effective and fair redress process for those affected by Capture, and we will continue to keep them updated."
Sky News
2 days ago
- Sky News
Crucial evidence in Post Office scandal found in garage of retired computer expert after 30 years
A damning report into the faulty Post Office IT system that proceeded Horizon has been unearthed after nearly 30 years - and it could help overturn criminal convictions. The document, known about by the Post Office in 1998, is described as "hugely significant" and a "fundamental piece of evidence" and was found in a garage by a retired computer expert. Capture was a piece of accounting software, likely to have caused errors, used in more than 2,000 branches between 1992 and 1999. It came before the infamous faulty Horizon software scandal, which saw hundreds of sub postmasters wrongfully convicted between 1999 and 2015. 1:49 The 'lost long' Capture documents were discovered in a garage by a retired computer expert who came forward after a Sky News report into the case of Patricia Owen, a convicted sub postmistress who used the software. Adrian Montagu was supposed to be a key witness for Pat's defence at her trial in 1998 but her family always believed he had never turned up, despite his computer "just sitting there" in court. Mr Montagu, however, insists he did attend. He describes being in the courtroom and adds that "at some point into the trial" he was stood down by the barrister for Mrs Owen with "no reason" given. Sky News has seen contemporaneous notes proving Mr Montagu did go to Canterbury Crown Court for the first one or two days of the trial in June 1998. "I went to the court and I set up a computer with a big old screen," he says. "I remember being there, I remember the judge introducing everybody very properly…but the barrister in question for the defence, he went along and said 'I am not going to need you so you don't need to be here any more'. "I wasn't asked back." Sky News has reached out to the barrister in Pat Owen's case who said he had no recollection of it. 'An accident waiting to happen' The report, commissioned by the defence and written by Adrian Montagu and his colleague, describes Capture as "an accident waiting to happen", and "totally discredited". It concludes that "reasonable doubt exists as to whether any criminal offence has taken place". It also states that the software "is quite capable of producing absurd gibberish", and describes "several insidious faults…which would not be necessarily apparent to the user". All of which produced "arithmetical or accounting errors". Sky News has also seen documents suggesting the jury in Pat Owen's case may never have seen the report. What is clear is that they did not hear evidence from its author including his planned "demonstration" of how Capture could produce accounting errors. Pat Owen was convicted of stealing from her Post Office branch in 1998 and given a suspended prison sentence. Her family describe how it "wrecked" her life, contributing towards her ill health, and she died in 2003 before the wider Post Office scandal came to light. Her daughter Juliet said her mother fought with "everything she could". "To know that in the background there was Adrian with this (report) that would have changed everything, not just for mum but for every Capture victim after that, I think is shocking and really upsetting - really, really upsetting." The report itself was served on the Post Office lawyers - who continued to prosecute sub postmasters in the months and years after Pat Owen's trial. 'My blood is boiling' 3:09 Steve Marston, who used the Capture software in his branch, was one of them - he was convicted of stealing nearly £80,000 in September 1998. His prosecution took place four months after the Capture report had been served on the Post Office. Steve says he was persuaded to plead guilty with the "threat of jail" hanging over him and received a suspended sentence. He describes the discovery of the report as "incredible" and says his "blood is boiling" and he feels "betrayed". "So they knew that the software was faulty?," he says. "It's in black and white isn't it? And yet they still pressed on doing what they did. "They used Capture evidence … as the evidence to get me to plead guilty to avoid jail. "They kept telling us it was safe…They knew the software should never have been used in 1998, didn't they?" Steve says his family's lives were destroyed and the knowledge of this report could have "changed everything". He says he would have fought the case "instead of giving in". "How dare they. And no doubt I certainly wasn't the last one…And yet they knew they were convicting people with faulty software, faulty computers." The report is now with the Criminal Cases Review Commission, the body investigating potential miscarriages of justice, which is currently looking into 28 Capture cases. A fundamental piece of evidence Neil Hudgell, the lawyer representing more than 100 victims, describes the report as "hugely significant", "seismic" and a "fundamental piece of evidence". "I'm as confident as I can be that this is a good day for families like Steve Marston and Mrs Owen's family," he says. "I think (the documents) could be very pivotal in delivering the exoneration that they very badly deserve." He also added that "there's absolutely no doubt" that the "entire contents" of the "damning" report "was under the noses of the Post Office at a very early stage". He describes it as a "massive missed opportunity" and "early red flag" for the Post Office which went on to prosecute hundreds who used Horizon in the years that followed. "It is a continuation of a theme that obviously has rolled out over the subsequent 20 plus years in relation to Horizon," he says. "...if this had seen the light of day in its proper sense, and poor Mrs Owen had not been convicted, the domino effect of what followed may not have happened." What the Post Office said Sky News approached the former Chief Executive of the Post Office during the Capture years, John Roberts, who said: "I can't recall any discussion at my level, or that of the board, about Capture at any time while I was CEO." A statement from the Post Office said: "We have been very concerned about the reported problems relating to the use of the Capture software and are sincerely sorry for past failings that have caused suffering to postmasters. "We are determined that past wrongs are put right and are continuing to support the government's work and fully co-operating with the Criminal Cases Review Commission as it investigates several cases which may be Capture related." A Department for Business and Trade spokesperson said: "Postmasters including Patricia Owen endured immeasurable suffering, and we continue to listen to those who have been sharing their stories on the Capture system. "Government officials met with postmasters recently as part of our commitment to develop an effective and fair redress process for those affected by Capture, and we will continue to keep them updated."
