Whakaari trial in early 2023 signalled
The trial for the 13 organisations and individuals facing charges in the wake of the Whakaari/White Island eruption is not going to take place until 2023, and is likely to last four months.
‘‘The trial date is the priority,’’ Judge Evengelos Thomas told the court at a case review hearing yesterday, conducted online via Virtual Meeting Rooms.
‘‘I’d like it to be as early as possible in 2023,’’ he said.
‘‘Anything in 2022 is unrealistic, we’re looking at early 2023.’’
Judge Thomas said a number of other legal matters, including a hearing to decide where the trial will take place, cannot proceed until a date is set.
‘‘Nothing can happen going forward without [a trial date].’’
Two of the defence lawyers, however, said other commitments meant they couldn’t commit to dates at present, so Judge Thomas asked that they discuss the matter ahead of a further hearing today.
Twelve of the individuals and organisations facing charges in the wake of the Whakaari/White Island eruption had previously entered pleas of not guilty.
The pleas were revealed in a minute from Thomas in August.
National Emergency Management Agency had been the only organisation that had entered a plea before then, of not guilty, on May 27 this year.
However, since that plea the agency has sought to have the charges dismissed. A hearing for that application is set for November 29.
The December 9, 2019 eruption took place while 47 people were on the island, leaving 22 dead and the remaining survivors with severe or critical injuries.
The event also led to WorkSafe filing numerous charges against a total of 13 individuals and organisations.