Dozing juror out

A judge yesterday discharged a juror who appeared to doze off during a murder trial in the High Court at Napier.

After defence counsel raised concerns about the woman's apparent inability to stay awake, Justice Alan Mackenzie met her in chambers and she was discharged.

The trial of Hulio Henry Ataria, 23, who is charged with the murder of agricultural contractor Mark McCutcheon in January last year outside a pub in Ongaonga, will continue with 11 jurors.