Barrage of abuse greets Northland murder-accused

Murder-accused Nathan Charles Fenton faced a barrage of abuse when he appeared in court in Whangarei yesterday.

Five people were evicted from the court by Judge Keith de Ridder after shouting at Fenton, who is charged with killing 17-year-old Mairina Dunn on August 27. Others were heard muttering obscenities.

The judge warned members of the public that they would be locked up if there were any further outbursts.

People entering Whangarei District Court were subject to airport-style security checks. Two police officers and security guards were also present.

Police yesterday laid six new charges against Fenton, 31, and two against Eileen Verna Everitt, who is charged with helping him avoid arrest.

Fenton faces three charges of presenting a firearm at three people who were in an Otangarei house on or about the time Mairina died.

He is also charged with assault with intent to injure, relating to an alleged incident before the teenager died.

Fenton and Everitt, 28, are jointly charged with stealing cash, money cards, a passport, an MP3 player and other personal items worth a total of $500 on September 3.

They are both also charged with unlawfully entering a bach on September 6 while on the run from police.

Prosecutor Kim Thomas told the court all parties had agreed that a two-day depositions hearing could be held on January 18 and 19 next year, but asked that the pair be remanded until November 27. The court agreed.

Meanwhile, Reremoana Luana Cooper, 33, who is charged with trying to burn down the Whangarei property where Mairina died, was further remanded on bail for a depositions hearing on December 6 when she appeared in court yesterday.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE (WHANGAREI)