Grieving family angry as murder accused bailed

The family of slain Pukehina man Julian Chapman Williams are angry his alleged murderer has been bailed despite police opposition.

In Tauranga District Court on Tuesday, Tony David Kereopa, 22, unemployed of Pongakawa, was granted bail after Judge Peter Rollo decided there was "no just cause" to keep him behind bars.

Kereopa, who lost name suppression on Tuesday, is alleged to have killed 29-year-old Mr Williams shortly before midnight on May 3 in what police say started as a fight at a local licensed premises, 30km from Te Puke.

It ended later in a fatal attack on the father-of three, who died on the front lawn of the house he shared with his sister and her children.

A second man was admitted to Tauranga Hospital with serious multiple stab wounds, while a third was treated for moderate head injuries and released shortly afterwards.

Kereopa faces one charge of murder and another of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

While the bail was good news for Kereopa's family, the family of Mr Williams was angered.

Outside court, family spokesperson and Mr Williams' uncle, Chris Williams, said granting Kereopa bail was far from fair.

"We are not too happy. We have lost someone and this guy has been bailed - it's just not fair. We have only just said our goodbyes."

During yesterday's court appearance, Kereopa's lawyer Craig Horsley successfully argued that his client should be released.

"There is nothing suggested by the police in opposition that this young man will fail to appear ... nor do anything to offend while on bail."

Mr Horsley accepted the charges his client faced were serious but said it would be best for all involved if Kereopa was bailed - albeit to an out-of-town address. "It's our proposal to bail him back to his whanau ... so there be no need for him to enter the Pukehina community. If need be, his family can take him back with them today."

Kereopa, he said, was willing to abide by bail conditions. Judge Rollo agreed, saying the police argument against bail was not strong enough. It was uncommon, he said, for a murder accused to receive bail but "I am satisfied this is one of the rare cases where bail can be granted".

Judge Rollo told Kereopa he would only be released on the grounds he lived at a specific address, did not directly or indirectly associate with police witnesses, reported to police and did not drink alcohol.

It was also agreed that Kereopa would not travel east of the Kaimai range - unless attending court or to see his lawyer.

- BAY OF PLENTY TIMES