Murderer appeals his convictions

A man who killed his ex-partner and her 3-year-old daughter and buried their bodies under a bridge is appealing his convictions more than three years after being sent to prison.

Pakeeza Yusuf and her daughter, Juwairiyah “Jojo” Kalim, lay covered by stone and mud on Auckland’s North Shore for nearly eight years before they were found.

Kamal Gyanendra Reddy was found guilty of their murder at trial in 2016 after a six-month undercover police operation drew a confession from him.

Reddy was drawn into a trap constructed by officers over six months. Finally, on October 14, 2014, he confessed to strangling Yusuf with the cord of an electric iron, and smothering Jojo.

In the Court of Appeal in Wellington yesterday, Reddy’s lawyer, Paul Dacre QC, said there was no evidence to corroborate Reddy’s confession and the information he gave to undercover police. The only solid evidence was Reddy being able to show the location of the bodies, and evidence from someone else who said Reddy confessed. During Reddy’s trial, he claimed someone else killed the pair, and his only role was to suggest where the bodies could be hidden.

Crown lawyer Mark Lillico said there was other information to corroborate Reddy’s confession, including details he gave about the bodies. Reddy spoke about being able to lie the bodies flat, and this was how they were found.

The Court of Appeal judges have reserved their decision.