Barefoot Wallace faces more charges

Michael Scott Wallace is escorted into the New Plymouth District Court. Picture / Mark Mitchell

Bedraggled and barefoot, Michael Scott Wallace, 44, appeared in New Plymouth District Court yesterday charged with the kidnap and murder of German tourist Birgit Brauer.

His appearance lasted less than two minutes and he did not speak during that time.

Defence lawyer Turitea Bolstad asked for a two-week remand in custody, by consent, without plea.

Ms Bolstad also requested that Wallace have a psychiatric examination, at which the accused appeared to shake his head.

Judge Louis Bidois remanded Wallace to reappear on October 25.

As Wallace was led out of court comments of "freak" and "mental my arse" could be heard from the packed public gallery.

The body of Ms Brauer, 28, was found dumped in bush at Lucys Gully, near Oakura, 17km southwest of New Plymouth, on September 20.

A large media contingent was on hand in New Plymouth for Wallace's court appearance, one of the country's most high profile cases for years.

Some media crews had arrived more than three hours before Wallace was due in court.

Wallace was arrested on Saturday night and formally charged with Ms Brauer's murder the next day.

Yesterday he faced additional charges including kidnap, theft of the vehicle at the centre of the investigation, a Toyota Hilux, on August 19 and attempting to pervert the course of justice by providing a false name to police on August 19 after he had been stopped for alleged drink-driving while in the Hilux. The Hilux had not been reported stolen at that stage.

He was also charged with dishonestly taking another motor vehicle, valued at $5000, from Levin between October 1 and 2, and two charges of burglary of houses in Foxton and Himatangi between October 2 and 7.

- NZPA