Prasad murder trial continues with 11 jurors after positive Covid test

The High Court is hearing the third day of evidence in the murder trial of Niraj Nilesh Prasad, 39.

The murder trial of Niraj Nilesh Prasad is pressing on after a jury member tested positive for Covid-19 as the third day began.

The man was discharged by trial judge Justice Rob Osborne and left the High Court at Christchurch where all jurors were tested.

"We carry on with 11," said the judge. "The jury can function perfectly well with 11. It is an incredibly important thing we are doing in this trial."

Testing will continue, for the jury and the others involved in the trial. One witness has also tested positive and will give evidence soon by video-link, without appearing in the courtroom.

Jury members and others have been tested before the start of each day of the trial so far.

"I suppose it was predictable that in the course of this trial we were going to lose someone," said Justice Osborne.

He said bio-cleaning was carried out regularly, and the jury room would be given an extensive clean. Another courtroom would be made available for the jury to use.

Prasad, 39, denies murdering Fijian-born Faiz Ali in an alleged hammer attack on February 21, 2021. The defence said Prasad was not guilty of murder because he did not have murderous intent.

The Crown alleges Prasad broke into Ali's home and waited for him before attacking him with a hammer and a knife when he arrived. Ali received 38 wounds including blunt force injuries to the head which "caved in" his skull, the Crown said.

The Crown is calling evidence from 27 witnesses and may finish presenting its case on Thursday.

The first witness on Wednesday was a neighbour, Heena Mehra, who said she heard screaming, shouting and "noises consistent with a fight". She said: "I heard noises as though they are hitting each other."

Another neighbour of the Armagh St property, Rachel Haselden, told of seeing a man leave. He told her: "I won't harm you. That man was having an affair with my wife." She said he seemed rational, "but there was blood, and he was holding a weapon".

Barnaby Hawes and John Whitcombe appear for the Crown; James Rapley QC and Ben Walker appear for Prasad.