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The trial of a man accused of murder was aborted yesterday after a judge expressed concerns about the man's mental state.
In the High Court in Auckland Justice John Fogarty ordered that Buddy Roberts remain in jail while undergoing a psychiatric report.
Roberts, 38, had denied murdering his partner Samantha Rangiawha, 34, last December after the pair had been sniffing solvent at their Otahuhu address.
He was alleged to have smashed her head three times with a 20kg concrete block.
He told police he did it because he could not control her and was trying to calm her down.
However, after Roberts gave evidence in court this week, Judge Fogarty stopped the trial and dismissed the jury of six men and six women.
His lawyer John Wiles told NZPA the judge had concerns about Roberts' mental health.
He said Roberts gave evidence against legal advice and it was "disastrous".
Psychiatric reports had been ordered and a decision on the trial would be made when they were completed, Mr Wiles said.
It had to be decided if Roberts was fit to plead and to stand trial, he said.
- NZPA
