Man alleged to have bashed child to death with hammer gives up name suppression bid

Charles Wharton appearing via audio-visual link in the High Court at Hamilton last year. Photo / Belinda Feek

A man accused of killing an 8-year-old boy with a hammer as he slept has given up his bid for name suppression.

Charles Wharton was last year charged with the murder of Zahquiel Taipeti and of seriously injuring his father, Mitikiro Woods, and another man in the Anthony Cres, Hamilton house at the time.

It is alleged the murder-accused had been causing concern among residents of an inner city street on the afternoon of September 1, after going on to people’s properties.

Police were eventually called.

They picked Wharton up and dropped him at Anthony Cres in Bader — the same street where Taipeti lived with his father — about 4.30pm.

The 37-year-old is then alleged to have murdered Zahquiel and seriously injured his father as they slept.

A second man, who was in an adjacent room, was also injured.

Zahquiel is alleged to have been sleeping in the same room as his father when they were attacked.

Charles Wharton can now be named as the man accused of the murder of an 8-year-old boy in Hamilton last year. Photo / Facebook

The Herald understands Zahquiel and his father were having a sleep as other whānau were returning from a tangi in Manawatū.

It‘s alleged the defendant and the third victim had a tussle over the alleged murder weapon after he was attacked.

When contacted, Woods’ mother, Ura Remuera, told NZME they knew the lifting of name suppression was “part of the process, but all we really want to focus on is to see justice being done by Zahquiel”.

‘Inappropriate for it to continue’

Wharton has had name suppression since his arrest in September.

When his case was called in the High Court at Hamilton last month, his counsel Nadine Baier indicated a further application for name suppression might be filed.

Crown Solicitor Jacinda Hamilton opposed the continuation, saying Wharton’s mental health had improved and the matter was “of significant public interest”.

“It would be inappropriate for it to continue,” she submitted.

Charles Wharton. Photo / Belinda Feek

Justice Kiri Tahana gave Baier until 5pm today to file an application, but the court today confirmed to NZME that one has not been filed and the suppression can be lifted.

Wharton is set to reappear in the High Court in May for a case review hearing.

A two-week trial is set down for May next year.

‘Rest in eternal love’

Zahquiel’s whānau and friends made several tributes online in his honour after his death.

“You didn’t deserve this Zah. Fly home to the arms of your mum,” one online tribute said.

Another family member wrote: “Rest in eternal love little cousin. Give mummy big hugs and loves from all of us.”

“Go rock the heavens with your old lady, my boy,” posted another.

The family’s Facebook post said they planned to bring Zahquiel back “home” to Whakatāne.

Belinda Feek is an Open Justice reporter based in Waikato. She has worked at NZME for 10 years and has been a journalist for 21.