KEY POINTS:
Alleged arsonist Francis Shaw promised to apologise in court for his outbursts yesterday but ended up making "an explanation for the anger".
Shaw is charged with setting fire to the historic Rangiatea Church in Otaki in 1995.
On Monday in Palmerston District Court, Shaw, 41, threatened to "biff" the judge in the head if not stood down and also heckled jurors, The Dominion Post reported.
He was sent to the cells after the stir but was allowed to return to the courtroom after Judge Alastair Garland told the jury he understood that Shaw wanted to make an apology.
However, Shaw said: "It's not so much an apology I'm making, more an explanation to you for the anger."
Shaw blamed "cultural issues" for his outbursts.
He also took issue with the makeup of the jury - - "Pakeha prosecutor, Pakeha judge and Pakeha jury".
The intricately carved Otaki church, built in 1851, was destroyed in the fire.
Shaw was found guilty in April 2005 of burning down the church.
He was sentenced to four years' jail for the destruction of the church, which was built by Te Rauparaha.
It has since been rebuilt but historic carvings were lost.
In November 2005 the Court of Appeal reversed the conviction and ordered a retrial.
He is representing himself at his retrial.
- NZPA
