Murder victim Robyn Prole. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times
Murder victim Robyn Prole. Photo / Bay of Plenty Times
A Tauranga builder accused of murdering his wife remains behind bars while a further psychiatric report is sought to determine his fitness to stand trial.
Rex Leverett John Prole, 64, is charged with the murder of 57-year-old Robyn Prole, whose body was found lying near the entrance to a drivewayin Judea on July 20.
In Tauranga District Court this morning Prole's lawyer Glenn Dixon opposed a media application to take a photograph of his client on mental health grounds.
Mr Dixon argued the psychiatric report to hand was not definitive enough to establish whether his client was fit enough to plead or stand trial.
But Judge Paul Geoghegan said despite the concern, given the significant public interest, he did not believe taking a photograph of Prole would compromise his legal rights and granted the application. Prole was further remanded in custody until September for a judicial intervention hearing.
