The name of the man accused of murdering Chad Parekura will stay secret for now until after an appeal is heard.
However he granted the man interim name suppression so his counsel could pursue an appeal.
The decision came after a suppression hearing which was held before Justice Nation at the High Court in Invercargill last Tuesday.
In his decision, which was redacted but for two paragraphs, it states that there was certain information in newspaper reports and on social media that were “not consistent with the Crown’s case’’.
“Despite this, I was confident there would be no risk to the defendant’s fair trial rights because of the way those on a jury will be required to reach a verdict only on the evidence presented at trial, and put out of their minds anything they might have heard or read outside the trial.”
Jurors would also be reminded a defendant comes to trial with a presumption of innocence with the Crown having to prove all essential elements beyond reasonable doubt, the decision states.
The man is next set to appear for a case review hearing at the High Court in Invercargill on August 9.
-by Karen Pasco, PIJF court reporter
