Latest from Assault and Homicide

Homicide case: 'Drugs in Maggie's body'

Toxicology results from the second autopsy performed on Maggie Watson showed traces of chemicals or drugs in her system, her grandfather claims.

Dairy stabber: 'everybody let him down'

A 13-year-old boy convicted of manslaughter was supposed to be taken into CYF care a month before he killed an Auckland dairy owner last June.

Bail for man accused of murdering baby Ihaka

The man accused of murdering a Christchurch toddler last month has been granted bail.

'He didn't know what he'd done'

The friend of a teenager accused of stabbing an up-and-coming rugby league player has described seeing his mate's look of shock moments after the fatal incident.

Lawyer sacked ahead of sentencing

An eleventh hour decision by a man who bashed his elderly mother to sack his lawyer was branded "disgusting" by his mother in court today.

Mellory murder: Police in 'legal limbo'

Detectives probing the 2008 slaying of Mellory Manning have admitted being in a "legal limbo" while a gangster found guilty of being involved appeals his conviction.

Suppression lapses for murder accused

Name suppression has lapsed for a man accused of bludgeoning an elderly man to death with a bottle.

Jarrod Gilbert: Child abuse anger robbing focus from prevention

We demand action. But equally we should be dispassionate and rational in demanding measures that seek to prevent these things occurring, writes Jarrod Gilbert.

Revise abuse guidelines - Adams

Justice Minister Amy Adams has told police to revise their guidelines so they can secretly warn people if their partner has a history of violent abuse.

Tourist attack: Police still investigating violent assault

A group of six to eight men allegedly assaulted the two male tourists - one from France and the other from the UK - outside the Vagabond Backpacker in Christchurch.

Tourists attacked by 'troublesome' group

Two tourists who were attacked by a group of people outside a Christchurch backpackers were victims of "random bad luck", the hostel owner says.

Cop pleads not guilty to murder

A white United States police officer who shot a black motorist after stopping him over a missing licence plate pleaded not guilty yesterday to charges of murder and voluntary manslaughter.

Teen jailed for killing dairy owner

A teen found guilty of killing West Auckland dairy owner Arun Kumar will be eligible to be released from prison before he turns 17.

Man denies murdering toddler

Fifteen-month-old Ihaka Stokes died in hospital after suffering multiple blunt force injuries including broken bones.

Cop faces murder charge

A University of Cincinnati police officer was indicted on a charge of murder for fatally shooting an unarmed black man during a traffic stop this month.

Refunding donations 'right thing to do'

The woman who created a Givealittle page for Leon Jayet-Cole, set up after the 5-year-old was allegedly murdered, says refunding donors is the right thing to do.