Accused in gnome bashing case on trial for murder

Michelle Mary Lawrence. Photo / Supplied

The man accused of bashing a Christchurch woman to death with a garden ornament will stand trial for murder at the High Court.

Timothy Joseph Foley, 52, is alleged to have attacked Michelle Mary Lawrence, 41 in the eastern suburb of Linwood on June 9.

The woman was rushed to hospital after being found at the property, and was in a critical condition in ICU for three weeks before she died on June 30.

Unemployed Foley was originally charged with intentionally causing Ms Lawrence grievous bodily harm but that was later withdrawn by police.

He had a post-committal conference at Christchurch District Court today, and a judge sent the case to the High Court for trial.

Foley is remanded in custody and will be back in court on December 14 for a pre-trial conference.

Police say preliminary results of a post-mortem indicated Ms Lawrence died as a result of complications arising from blunt-force head injuries, after she was struck with what is believed to be a garden gnome.