NZ newscaster in laughing fit over Rizalman's 'emergency defecation situation'
THE STAR
PETALING JAYA: A New Zealand TV presenter burst into laughter while presenting a news piece on former second warrant officer Muhammad Rizalman Ismail (pic)who was found guilty of indecent assault.
Hilary Barry, who works for 3 News, lost her composure after reading the phrase "emergency defecation situation", an excuse Rizalman gave during his trial at a Wellington High Court.
According to The Huffington Post, the incident happened during a segment on Rizalman where the word "emergency defecation situation" emerged.
The script, which was written by journalist Emily Cooper read:
"Muhammad Rizalman once had an untainted two decade-long career in the Malaysian military; today (Feb 4) he'll be sentenced for indecent assault. In November, he admitted following then 21-year-old Tanya Billingsly home.
"He said he'd had an 'emergency defecation situation' and needed to use her bathroom, but the judge in the case found he had a sexual motive."
At this point, Barry burst into a laughing fit, saying the phrase "emergency defecation situation" repeatedly.
"I think I'm having one myself," she joked, while wiping her tears.
Unfortunately for the newsreader, the next story was a serious one, and she struggled to contain her amusement whilst reporting on a bomb explosion on a plane in Somalia.
At the end of the broadcast she said, "Today could be the day I lose my job ... still, I’d get to lie in."
The Wellington High Court sentenced Rizalman to nine months home detention on Thursday.
