Outburst in court as murder accused appears
Family of the victim again called out death threats and abuse as the man accused of murdering sex worker Renee Duckmanton appeared at a pre-trial session in the High Court at Christchurch.
The family called out that they hated the man, and that he had taken their child, and shouted, “Die,” as the hearing finished and he was taken to the cells.
The 31-year-old man stood calmly in the dock during the hearing, while the family of 22-year-old Miss Duckmanton sat shaking and weeping in the public seats, flanked by staff. One member called out once during the hearing, saying, “So what?” as a point was raised.
Another outburst by the family at the man’s first appearance in the Christchurch District Court on May 27 led to the court being adjourned until order could be restored.
Justice Cameron Mander said name suppression granted at the man’s appearance in the District Court lapsed today, though defence counsel Phil Shamy sought to have it continued until the next appearance.
He rejected grounds for continued suppression while a psychiatric report is prepared on the man.
However, he then had to continue the interim suppression because Mr Shamy indicated there would be an appeal against his decision.
The suppression remains until the appeal is heard.
He remanded the man in custody to August 19 for a case review hearing.
Miss Duckmanton’s body was found north of Rakaia last month, at the scene of a scrub fire.
The court did not adjourn this time, and when the family left the courtroom Justice Mander continued with the next case.
Category: News
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