The man charged with the murder of a Christchurch woman who was allegedly bashed with a garden ornament was back in court today.
Timothy Joseph Foley, 52, faces a charge of killing Michelle Mary Lawrence, 41 in Linwood on June 9.
The woman was rushed to hospital after being found at the property, and was in a critical condition in ICU for three weeks until she died on June 30.
Foley was originally charged with intentionally causing Ms Lawrence grievous bodily harm but that was withdrawn by police at Christchurch district court today.
Police today asked Judge Gary Macaskill for an extension to a deadline for filing court information so they can complete their case against the unemployed Christchurch man.
Foley was remanded in custody to a post-committal conference on October 5, and police have until September 13 to file their information.
Police say preliminary results of a post-mortem indicated Ms Lawrence died as a result of complications arising from blunt-force head injuries, after she was struck with what is believed to be a garden gnome.
