July 28, 2010

Indication shooting accused may defend charges

By David Clarkson

Five more charges have been laid against Christopher Graeme Smith – accused of shooting two policemen and killing a police dog – and the 34-year-old has indicated he may defend all charges.

Smith, a process worker who lived in Buccleugh Street, Phillipstown where the July 13 shooting incident occurred, remains in custody after his remand appearance before Judge Noel Walsh in the Christchurch District Court today.

He was remanded to a post-committal conference on September 10, which is the normal track for cases which are heading for a District Court jury trial. On a charge of possession of cannabis, he was remanded to a status hearing on August 10, also an indication of a not guilty plea.

Smith faces charges of attempted murder of two police officers, one shot in the jaw and one in the leg, when they attempted to search a property where cannabis cultivation was suspected.

He is charged with killing police dog Gage, using a firearm against a third policeman, unlawful possession of an offensive weapon – a pig knife – and cultivating cannabis.

The new charges are unlawful possession of a Stirling .22 semi-automatic rifle, a .22 bolt-action rifle, and a Mauser 6.55mm rifle, possession of cannabis, and using a firearm against a fourth police officer.

David Ruth appeared as defence counsel for the brief court appearance.