Triple murder accused Justin Matthew Jeffries appeared via AVL at not long after he was arrested last year. At the time he had a large wound on his head. Photo / Kelly Makiha
Triple murder accused Justin Matthew Jeffries appeared via AVL at not long after he was arrested last year. At the time he had a large wound on his head. Photo / Kelly Makiha
The case of a man accused of a triple murder in Rotorua is still waiting for two psychologists’ reports before it can progress in court.
Justin Matthew Jeffries, 52, of Mamaku near Rotorua, has pleaded not guilty on the grounds of insanity to a range of charges, including the murderof three people.
His case was called in the High Court at Rotorua this morning. His appearance was excused.
He is charged with murdering Michelle Nicola Schiller, 59, on September 19 last year.
Police also allege he attacked Jessie and Glendon Currin on September 23.
Jeffries is also charged with wounding Adam Sour with intent to cause grievous bodily harm on September 23 in Rotorua.
A police guard at an Old Taupo Rd address in Utuhina, Rotorua, where Michelle Schiller was found dead. Photo / Ben Fraser
Jeffries is also charged with entering a building on Old Taupo Rd with intent to commit an imprisonable offence in the building, and unlawfully using Schiller’s bank card with intent to obtain property.
Some friends and family members of those who died were present in court.
The court is waiting for two psychologists’ reports – one from the defence and one from the Crown.
Jeffries’ lawyer, Andy Hill, told Justice Kiri Tahana he expected his report to be ready before Christmas.
Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon asked for a little bit longer as she said her report would likely not be ready until the start of next year.
She said the Crown’s appointed report writer, Dr Jeremy Skipworth, had been busy with the Loafer’s Lodge case – the trial of a man found guilty of lighting a fire and murdering five people in a Wellington boarding house.
Gordon asked for a postponement until the new year as not all of the Crown’s evidence had been gathered.
“Police are still waiting on a number of statements from Te Whatu Ora ... to be frank, the delays the police are experiencing in terms of getting medical evidence is extraordinary at the moment. It’s taking months and months.”
Justice Tahana said the case would be recalled again on February 20.
A four-week trial starting February 15, 2027, has been set down.
Police at the Russell Cres property where Jessie and Glendon Currie lived. Photo / Ben Fraser.
Schiller’s body was found in her Old Taupo Rd flat on September 23, the same day police were called to Russell Cres where the Currins had allegedly been seriously assaulted.
Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues.
