May 06, 2013

Trumpet theft accused won't speak to lawyer

By David Clarkson. A man charged with stealing trumpets from an Anzac Day service in Christchurch city is refusing to talk to his assigned lawyer and the Court House?s psychiatric nurse.

The appointed lawyer, Todd Nicholls from the Public Defence Service, has been granted leave to withdraw from the case after telling the Christchurch District Court about his frustrations today.

He told Judge Christopher Somerville about receiving conflicting instructions from 35-year-old Wade Clinton Jeffs, and being unable to get proper advice.

Police continue to oppose bail, saying that the man has no fixed abode though he claims to be living at a camping ground.

Judge Somerville remanded him in custody for two days so that a new lawyer could be appointed, and there was no application for his release on bail. He applied for bail himself at an appearance last week and it was refused.

Jeffs has been remanded in custody since his arrest on Anzac Day. Police allege he grabbed a bag containing a cornet and a trumpet worth $10,000 as he cycled past the early morning service.

Judge Somerville suppressed some aspects of the case.