William Bell stabbing accused makes barking noise in court

Dean Shepherd made barking noises when he appeared in court facing grevious bodily harm charges. Photo / NZPA

The prisoner accused of stabbing triple murderer William Bell made a dog-barking noise and gestured to media when he appeared in court today.

Dean Shepherd, 46, today decided not to seek continued name suppression in North Shore District Court.

Shepherd is charged with wounding Bell with intent to cause grievous bodily harm following the stabbing in December.

Shepherd made the dog-barking noise and gestures to media as he was remanded to a callover on April 16, when a date for a depositions hearing will be set.

Bell was jailed for life with a minimum non-parole period of 30 years for killing three people at the Mt Wellington-Panmure Returned Services Association in 2001.

He was under heavy police guard when rushed to Auckland Hospital following the stabbing at Auckland Prison's maximum security unit at Paremoremo.

The Department of Corrections had said they had information Bell was planning an escape.
Bell is now back in Auckland Prison.

- NZPA