Murder trial jury retires for night

File photo / NZ Herald

The jury in the Rotorua murder trial of a Whanganui man accused of murdering his stepson with a boning knife, has been released until tomorrow morning.

Douglas Ham is alleged to have fatally stabbed James Galloway near Turangi in May last year, following a non-consensual sexual encounter between the pair.

The defence argues Mr Galloway in fact stumbled and fell onto the knife, stabbing himself.

The jury of six men and six women retired to consider their verdict about half past two.

They've been released until 9am tomorrow.

- NEWSTALK ZB