Christie Marceau inquest: New evidence can now be reported

Christie Marceau was murdered in November 2011. Photo / Supplied

Day two of the inquest into the death of North Shore teenager Christie Marceau has started before Coroner Katharine Greig.

And the Herald can now report more of yesterday's proceedings.

Christie, 18, was stabbed to death in her North Shore home in November 2011 by Akshay Chand.

He was on bail at the time and facing charges of earlier kidnapping, threatening to rape and assaulting Christie.



The inquest into her death opened in the Auckland District Court yesterday.

Yesterday Greig heard evidence from Christie's parents Tracey and Brian Marceau, the detective in charge of the investigation into the teen's death, and district court staff.

Today the inquest is expected to hear from more police, including the officer in charge of Chand's arrest and the prosecutor who handled his first court appearance after the kidnapping and assault charge.

Greig has ruled that media may report the evidence read to the court by each witness as soon as they are presented.

However, nothing can be reported from the cross examination or questioning of any witness until the next day - after each lawyer has had the opportunity to challenge any statements made.

Much of yesterday's cross examination was around clarifying police and court staff training, processes and the chain of events around Christie's death and Chand's criminal file.

North Shore District Court services manager Carl Lewens revealed there was "uncertainty" around whether Judge David McNaughton had access to an order made regarding Chand when he was considering a bail application.

Judge Barbara Morris, who dealt with Chand's initial appearances, made the order and had also wanted an urgent report on electronic bail and a forensic psychiatric assessment.

Lewen was asked whether processes around compiling court files was adequate.

Greig specifically asked if each court file - the paper version in particular - had an index showing what documents were held and what was needed or coming.

Lewen said no, they did not.

"How does anybody know that the files are accurate?" Greig said.

It was also put to Lewen that "information was not communicated in a timely manner to assist the decision-maker" in Chand's case.

Lewen also revealed the handling of Chand's case had not been reviewed after Christie's death.

He said it was preferable to wait for the inquest process and that "we will take learnings from that".

Lewen also suggested that police prosecutors and defence counsel could be more proactive in ensuring the necessary documents were available to the presiding judge on a hearing day.

The inquest continues and is set down for 11 days.