Wanganui murder accused remanded in custody

Derek Round. Photo / File

The man charged with the murder of veteran journalist Derek Leonard Round appeared briefly in the Wanganui District Court today before Judge Dugald Matheson.

Michael Umanui Werahiko, 31 has been in custody since May 18, when he had appeared in the district court on charges of disorderly behaviour and threatening to kill.

He was remanded in custody on May 22, and the charge of murder was laid by police.

Mr Round,77 , was found dead in the living room of his Campbell St home on May 17, having been subjected to a brutal attack.

A post mortem examination revealed he had been beaten several times about the head causing multiple skull fractures, and died early in the evening on the day before he was found.

In court Werahiko was wearing a red chequered shirt, his hair was slicked back and he had a small clipped goatee beard.

He appeared agitated during his appearance as he leaned forward was looking up and down the court room.

All submissions to Judge Matheson by his counsel Peter Brosnahan, which took around 10 minutes, were suppressed.

Werahiko was remanded to a post committal conference on July 26 at 2.15pm where the date will be set for a High Court jury trial callover.