Name suppression lifted

Auckland: The man accused of killing 65yearold David Keith Yates in West Auckland last year can now be identified as Yates’ nephew.

Justice Geoffrey Venning declined an application for continued name suppression yesterday afternoon for James Robert Yates (32) following a hearing in the High Court at Auckland.

After the elder Yates was found dead at his Swanson home on the morning of November 13, James Yates was charged with murder and was taken to a lockdown psychiatric facility.

In March, the defendant pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. But during the same hearing, he was also found fit to stand trial next year.

Justice Venning said the threshold for continued suppression — a real and substantial risk of extreme hardship or prejudice to trial — had not been met. — $130 in court costs.

The wealthy trucking businessman did not light the fires himself — one of his staff illegally burnt dumped rubbish from members of the public that had accumulated onsite in Raumanga over two years. —

RNZ

Police responded and a criminal investigation was launched, which resulted in the officer charged with injuring with intent to injure.

The charge was dismissed after two hung jury trials.

In its report on the incident, the IPCA said it agreed with the police decision to charge the officer.

Despite the charge being dismissed, IPCA found the officer had used excessive force in apprehending the male.

Waitemata District Commander superintendent Naila Hassan said police acknowledged and accepted the authority’s findings.

The officer is no longer employed by police. — RNZ