Defence appeals for suppression, bail in Ihaka murder case
A High Court judge has reserved his decision on a defence bid to continue suppression and get bail for the 22-year-old man charged with the murder of 14-month-old Ihaka Paora Braxton Stokes in Christchurch last month.
Justice David Gendall heard argument on the appeal application in the High Court at Christchurch today, and then reserved his decision. He said he would issue it “reasonably promptly”.
Phil Shamy appeared as counsel for the man and Mark Zarifeh for the Crown.
Reporting of the hearing is restricted by the suppression provisions of the Bail Act, and interim suppression of the man’s name continues.
Ihaka died after being taken to Christchurch Hospital on July 3, and the man was charged with his murder after extensive police inquiries, about two weeks later.
He pleaded not guilty two weeks ago to charges of assaulting Ihaka on July 2 and murdering him the next day.
Apart from the issues of suppression and bail, the case is remanded to a case review session in the High Court on October 2.
Category: Focus
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