A Wakefield man faces two new charges after a murder charge against him was dropped in the Nelson District Court yesterday.
Dallas Murray and his twin, Aidan Murray, 32, were jointly charged with murdering Nelson stevedore Hayden Kelly on September 21.
Inquiry head John Winter said police were dropping the murder charge
against Dallas Murray "in light of further information gained following the arrest of the pair".
He said "a clearer picture had emerged and it was entirely appropriate for the changes at the earliest opportunity".
Dallas Murray was remanded in custody until November 25. His brother's case came up immediately afterwards although Aidan Murray was not present in court.
Aidan Murray was also remanded in custody until November 25, without plea, for a depositions date to be set.
Mr Kelly, 24, died in Wellington Hospital a day after he was found beaten, bleeding and barely breathing on Collingwood St bridge in Nelson.
Yesterday Dallas Murray was accused of perverting the course of justice by instructing someone to tamper with material evidence in Mr Kelly's death.
A second charge accuses him of tampering with evidence to enable his brother to avoid arrest.
- NZPA
