Man to face trial for baby son's murder

A Taupo man is to stand trial for the murder of his five-week-old baby son, after a depositions hearing today found he had a case to answer.

Adam Christopher Lock, 21, pleaded not guilty in Taupo District Court to murdering JayRhis Ian te Koha Lock-Tata in March. He also denied two charges of assaulting a female.

He was remanded in custody for a callover in the High Court at Rotorua on October 8.

The prosecution said that Lock assaulted JayRhis after being left alone in charge of him in the family's Taupo home on March 5.

JayRhis suffered head injuries regarded as consistent with being shaken and or knocked against an object.

He died in Auckland's Starship hospital on March 7 after being taken off life support.

Lock sat quietly beside his solicitor Bill Lawson as 46 witness statements were handed up to the court today.

Two videos were also received as evidence by Community Magistrate Robyn Patterson.

The baby's mother, Shannel Tate wept while giving evidence yesterday. She explained that she had left JayRhis at home with Mr Lock for a short time.

Ms Tate said the baby had been unsettled during the night but was asleep when she left the home.

Ms Tate was at a neighbour's house when she saw an ambulance at her address.

She rushed home and found ambulance officers in her bedroom trying to resuscitate the child.

- NZPA