Family upset as baby accused gets day out
The family of CJ Bodhi Brian White, the baby boy from Hokitika who was killed in July last year, say they are disgusted that the man accused of murdering the boy will be released on temporary bail on the first anniversary of CJ’s death.
‘‘We are shocked beyond belief that this can happen on the anniversary of CJ’s death,’’ said Jill White, CJ’s grandmother.
CJ’s father, David Grant Sinclair, has been charged with the murder of his 10-month-old son at Hokitika last year. He denies the charge.
Sinclair was granted temporary bail yesterday when he appeared in the High Court at Christchurch via video-link. This allows him to be freed from custody on Friday morning and he is required to report back to the prison by 7pm the same day.
The court has prohibited publication of the reason for his temporary release from custody.
White said the family was never informed or consulted about Sinclair’s application for temporary bail and only found out about it when they read about it in the media. ‘‘We are totally shocked beyond belief that this is even able to happen in this country. It is not OK, not any part of it is OK. We’re disgusted,’’ she said.
CJ died on July 10 last year after he was flown from Hokitika to Christchurch Hospital in a critical condition.
White said the past year since his death had been hell for his family. Shortly after CJ’s death, his mother, Laura White, said her son was ‘‘an absolute delight to know’’. ‘‘[He was] the most easy going baby you’ve ever met. He was always full of giggles and stories.
‘‘He is an angel to us, and will be a hero to many,’’ she said.