October 15, 2008

Reid murder, rape trial pauses for a day

Emma Agnew murder trial, Day 8 update

The trial of Liam James Reid on charges of murder, attempted murder, and rape will take a break for the day on Thursday.

The High Court trial before Justice Lester Chisholm and a jury has been sitting for eight days, but has been making fast progress.

The crown is calling 106 witnesses and it originally thought its case would take three weeks to present.

But a new system of transcribing the evidence ? ?using a group of typists listening to the discussion in court in another part of the building, instead of a single typist working in court ? has sped up the proceedings.

The court had a busy day today with medical evidence, telecommunications evidence, and forensic details about the scene of a rape in Dunedin.

But the evidence that was to be heard tomorrow has now been switched to a full day at the court on Friday.

Reid, 36, denies the rape and murder of Emma Agnew in Christchurch last November, and a later rape, sexual violation, robbery, and attempted murder of a 21-year-old Dunedin student.