Jury deliberates in brother's murder trial

David Bourke in court. Photo / NZPA

A Palmerston North jury has resumed deliberations in the case of a man accused of murdering his brother.

The eight women, four men jury deliberated for around two hours yesterday before they were discharged for the night.

David Bourke, 48, is charged with murdering his brother Timothy, 49, and shooting a farmhand near Dannevirke while he was on the run from police in October last year.

He claims he eventually gave into pleas from Timothy to kill him, which makes him guilty of manslaughter due to provocation.

The Crown however, says the killing was planned, and this shows Bourke committed murder.

The case is believed to be one of the last in New Zealand where the provocation defence will be used.

- NEWSTALK ZB