KEY POINTS:
The start of the trial of two men accused of murdering a East Coast man in 2006 was abruptly halted yesterday when one pleaded guilty to manslaughter and the second asked to dismiss his lawyer.
Arnold Ruka Dewes, 55, and Thomas Aden Kenneth Kaika, 39, appeared in the High Court in Gisborne accused of murdering Te Araroa man Kevin John Ria Collier, 47 of Te Araroa, 42km north of Ruatoria.
Kaika pleaded guilty to the alternative charge of manslaughter which was accepted after a short discussion between defence and prosecution lawyers.
He was remanded in custody for sentencing on March 17.
When Dewes told Justice Graham Lang that he needed to say something, a panel of potential jurors was asked to leave the courtroom.
Dewes said that he wanted to dismiss his lawyer and he did not want the case to go on.
"This case is not going to happen," he said.
After further discussion, Judge Lang said the trial would not go ahead this week and dismissed potential jurors from duty.
He then remanded Dewes in custody after setting a new trial date for July 21.
- NZPA
