Three remanded on joint murder charge
File image. © Andrew Bardwell
Three men charged with the murder of a Christchurch Prison inmate have been remanded in custody for a pre-trial appearance in the High Court this month.
People in the public gallery at the main Christchurch District Court called out messages of love and abuse as the three were taken back to the cells. One woman referred to the death of her nephew.
Akuhatua Tihi, 22, of Nelson, Levi Hohepa Reuben, 20, and Steven Betham, 36, were all remanded without plea by Judge Jane Farish to appear on April 24.
They are jointly charged that between March 25 and 30 – the date of the alleged bashing in prison and the death in Christchurch Hospital – they murdered Benton Marni Parata.
The charges listed at court indicate no weapon was involved in the alleged attack on 44-year-old Parata. They say the murder was committed “manually”. The police say Parata never regained consciousness after the attack.
James Rapley appeared as defence counsel for Tihi and Reuben, and Kerry Cook appeared for Betham.
Police had opposed media applications for in-court photography of the appearance. Judge Farish made an order that “no photographic images of any of the three can be published until further order the court”.
Category: Focus
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