Morris death: Accused's name stays secret

Millie Elder-Holmes and Connor Morris.PHOTO/FILE

The man accused of murdering Connor Morris will retain name suppression after his lawyer filed an appeal this afternoon.

The 33-year-old West Auckland man's case was called at the High Court in Auckland yesterday in front of Mr Morris's partner Millie Elder-Holmes, his family and a packed public gallery.

The defendant's lawyer Marie Dyhrberg, QC, entered a not guilty plea on behalf of her client and asked for name suppression to continue until his next appearance in November because of significant danger to the man and his family.

However, Justice Timothy Brewer said most people in the community knew the alleged killer's name and declined the application.

Ms Dyhrberg quickly indicated she would appeal the decision and was given until tomorrow morning at 10am to file that appeal, or suppression would automatically lapse.

She confirmed this afternoon she had filed papers with the Court of Appeal and there would likely be a hearing before her client's next High Court appearance.

It would be several days before the court scheduled the exact date and suppression will continue until then.

The continued secrecy will add further frustration to the Morris family, who stormed out of court yesterday led by the victim's father Chris.

"He should've thought about name suppression before he killed my son. F***ing egg," he said.

Mr Morris, 26, suffered a fatal head injury during a confrontation outside a party in the West Auckland suburb of Massey just over a month ago.

He was held by Ms Elder-Holmes, his partner of six years, as he lay dying.

A four-week trial has been scheduled for August next year.