May 09, 2013

Trumpet theft accused stays in custody

By David Clarkson. A man accused of stealing a trumpet and cornet from an Anzac Day service in Christchurch is insisting on speaking for himself, and staying in custody.

The man has apparently not accepted a second lawyer assigned to him on legal aid by the Legal Services Agency.

Wade Clinton Jeffs, 35, would not speak to his first lawyer, who was allowed to withdraw from the case on Monday so that another lawyer could be assigned.

Senior counsel Tony Garrett was then assigned for an appearance in court yesterday, but Jeffs said he wished to speak for himself, and would ask the lawyer questions if there was something he did not understand.

He told Christchurch District Court Judge Alistair Garland: ?I?m back today, mate, because the judge said about conditions of the thingamyjig...um...?

After a long pause, Judge Garland stood the case down so he could have another talk to his lawyer, but the next appearance did not reduce the confusion.

Jeffs said he wanted to enter no pleas on charges of stealing the trumpet and cornet, worth $10,000, and a trespass charge.

But Judge Garland insisted on entering a not guilty plea to the trespass charge, and noted that Jeffs had already pleaded not guilty to the theft.

He pointed out that Jeffs had already made the one bail application he is allowed. He had spoken for himself on April 26, and had been remanded in custody.

He remanded Jeffs ? still in custody ? to a pre-trial hearing on May 20, and told him the court would want to know details that day about his defence, the number of witnesses to be called, and the hearing time required.