A man has been charged with two counts of murder after two people were found dead in Hamilton, police say.
The 34-year-old man will appear in the Hamilton District Court tomorrow.
Name suppression for the victims of a Hamilton homicide has lapsed, while secrecy remains for their alleged attacker.
Wave Kairau and Charlie Tate were allegedly murdered by a 34-year-old Waikato man in their York St, Hamilton East home on April 2.
NZME understands that after the alleged attack, thedefendant went home before taking himself to Waikato Hospital for treatment after suffering injuries to his hands.
It was while he was at Waikato Hospital that police were alerted to the circumstances and subsequently sent to York St.
His case was called in the High Court at Hamilton this morning before Justice Michele Wilkinson-Smith.
Police forensic teams at York St on April 3. Photo / Belinda Feek
The defendant did not appear and is on remand in a mental health facility. He was instead represented by his counsel, Melissa James, during the short hearing.
Crown prosecutor Jacinda Hamilton said name suppression for the victims was no longer being sought by the whānau, many of whom were in court this morning.
However, defence counsel Melissa James said she had filed an application for name suppression and successfully asked for it to continue until further Section 38 mental health reports can be obtained.
Hamilton didn’t oppose the interim application and said insanity would be a key focus of the trial, which is set down for November next year.
A reserve trial date has also been set for April 5, 2027.
Justice Wilkinson-Smith lifted the victims’ suppression and remanded the case to be recalled next week.
‘This was an isolated incident’
Previously, Waikato police Detective Inspector Stephen Ambler provided reassurance for those living in the area.
