A reserve trial date has been set for October 11, 2027.
A firm trial date has been set for February 14, 2028.
Woman charged with being an accessory after the fact
A woman charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder in relation to Mitchell’s death also appeared in the High Court at Rotorua today before Justice Tahana.
Police previously alleged she transported a man and hid him from police to enable him to avoid arrest between December 12 and 18.
She was granted bail and interim name suppression at a previous appearance in the Rotorua District Court.
In her first appearance in the High Court today, the woman’s lawyer, Scott Mills, asked that she be remanded without plea.
Justice Tahana said she would note Mills’ position “but will enter a not guilty plea on her behalf to preserve her position”.
“I will record that that was made by the court and not by counsel.”
Mills asked Justice Tahana for interim name suppression to continue based on having children in her care, “potential safety concerns”, and “concerns about any form of retaliation”.
Police at the scene of the homicide investigation on Ford Rd, Rotorua. Photo / Ben Fraser
Justice Tahana said she needed to deal with continued interim name suppression “in an efficient and speedy manner”.
She proposed that Mills file a formal application within seven days.
“If not filed, then interim name suppression will automatically lapse.”
Any evidence in support of the application was to be filed within a further two weeks from that date, and a hearing date would be allocated.
Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon said the Crown did not have any difficulties with the bail granted or the conditions imposed and was happy for interim name suppression to continue.
The woman was remanded on bail until trial on March 13, 2028.
Justice Tahana said she would direct the registry to look into a potential reserve trial date after Te Kani’s reserve trial date.
