Double murder charge denied

Press, 21 August 1979, Page 2

Double murder charge denied

A boy, aged 15, on a double murder charge had his name suppressed by Mr Justice Casey in the Supreme Court in Christchurch yesterday. His Honour also suppressed the names of his step-brother, aged five, and step-sister, aged three, whom the boy was alleged to have murdered while he was acting as a baby-sitter for the two children on March 26. Also suppressed were the names of the boy’s parents, tiie names of any members of his family, or anything which was likely to lead .to his identification.

The boy pleaded not guilty

to both charges. The jury was then released until this morning when the Crown will open its case. Mr N. W. Williamson, who appeared for the Crown, said that he understood that the boy’s name was automatically suppressed because of his age. He asked that the names of the dead children also be suppressed because of the adverse effect publicity would have on the boy’s parents. Messrs R, L. Kerr and G. M. Brodie appear for the boy, The trial is expected to take 2J days.

It is alleged by the Crown that the boy murdered the two children by, stabbing them repeatedly.