Radio NZ murder accused will seek electronic bail

Photo / supplied

One of the men accused of the brutal murder of Wellington journalist Phil Cottrell is seeking to be released on electronic bail.

Nicho Waipuka, 19, was remanded in custody until February 3 when he appeared for a second time in Wellington District Court today.

Defence lawyer Rob Stevens indicated that date was the day his client would become eligible to apply for electronic bail _ which he would seek at the next hearing.

Cottrell, 43, died in hospital on December 11 after he was attacked in central Wellington early the previous day on his way home from a night shift at Radio New Zealand.

Waipuka was charged with murder last month along with a 17-year-old youth who has interim name suppression.

Waipuka, dressed in a white t-shirt and with what appeared to be a bruised eye, called out "love you'' to family in the public gallery at the end of his brief appearance this morning.

The court heard that police were yet to file all the formal written statements relating to the case.

The statements are due on January 23 but police have applied for an extension until March 5.

Police said the investigation was ongoing and formal statements from some witnesses were yet to be taken.

Mr Stevens did not oppose an extension, but Judge Susan Thomas deferred a ruling until she had heard from counsel for the co-accused, who is not due to reappear until next month.

Judge Thomas also declined a second media application to take photos and video of Waipuka in court.

She agreed with Mr Stevens that publication of his image could potentially prejudice a fair trial, because identification of the accused was likely to be an issue.

She also noted the investigation was ongoing and formal statements were still being taken from witnesses.

"The overriding concern of course is the need to protect a fair trial and that is in everybody's interest.''