Murder-accused named
A mother and her two sons face charges in relation to the death of a young woman in Invercargill.
Samuel Samson has been charged with the murder of Azalia Wilson after she was found dead at the Bavarian Motel, Waikiwi, on November 17 last year.
His mother, Patricia Samson, has been charged with two counts of accessory after the fact to murder in relation to the incident.
His brother, Daniel Samson, has also been charged with a count of being an accessory after the fact of murder.
Stuff reported at the time that Wilson, 22, had given birth to her first child a few months before she was found dead.
A homicide investigation was launched when officers found Wilson’s body at the motel after a concerned person contacted them.
Samuel Samson, who was Wilson’s love interest, was charged with murder several days later.
Samuel Samson, who had been given interim name suppression that has since lapsed, appeared in the High Court at Invercargill yesterday via video link for a case review hearing.
In December, while he still had name suppression, he pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder.
David Slater, the lawyer for Patricia Samson, who appeared in court yesterday, entered pleas of not guilty on her behalf to two charges of accessory after the fact to murder.
Daniel Samson, also charged with accessory after the fact to murder, appeared via video link from another courtroom. However, no pleas were entered.
Daniel Samson was expected to reappear in court on June 23 and was remanded on bail.
Justice Cameron Mander remanded Samuel Samson in custody for an expected three-week trial on March 8 next year. He was expected to next appear for a case review hearing on July 21.
Patricia Samson was remanded on bail to next appear for a case review hearing on July 23.