Prison murder trial set for May
A May trial date has been suggested for three men charged with the murder of 44-year-old Benton Marni Parata in Christchurch Men’s Prison five months ago.
A pre-trial call-over in the High Court at Christchurch today used a video-link to Auckland’s Paremoremo and Mount Eden prisons, where the men are now in custody, to settle the trial arrangements.
Justice Cameron Mander was told that the trial set to begin on May 9 would last three weeks.
The men charged are Akuhatua Tihi, 22, of Nelson, Levi Hohelpa Reuben, 20, and Steven Betham, 36.
The men remain in custody.
The Crown alleges Parata was bashed in prison on March 25 and died in hospital five days later without regaining consciousness.
Category: News
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