A teenager accused of murdering Rotorua toddler Nia Glassie will remain behind bars until at least next month.
Wiremu Curtis, 18, who was the 3-year-old girl's stepfather, appeared briefly in the Rotorua District Court yesterday.
He was due to apply for bail but it was put off until his
depositions hearing on December 17. Judge Chris McGuire remanded Curtis in custody, by consent, until that date.
Meanwhile, the appearances of Michael Pearson, 19, Oriwa Kemp, 17, Michael Curtis, 21, and Lisa Kuka, 34, were excused for a pre-depositions hearing at the Rotorua District Court yesterday.
Kuka, Kemp and Pearson are charged with the manslaughter of Nia and Michael Curtis is charged with murder. Wiremu Curtis is also charged with murder. Representing Kemp, Kuka and Wiremu Curtis, lawyer Bill Lawson said everything was on track for depositions in Rotorua on December 17.
Evidence given by Nia's sisters Esther Glassie, 8, and Jessie Glassie, 10, would be given via closed circuit television and medical staff were also required.
Michael Curtis' lawyer Jonathan Temm also suggested that a judge would be better to preside over the hearing instead of Justices of the Peace because of the suppression orders in the case and media interest. That was supported by Crown Solicitor Fletcher Pilditch and Judge McGuire agreed.
