Auckland Prison murder accused objects to appearing in court via video due to Covid-19

The four murder accused are appearing in the North Shore District Court today. Photo / File

A man accused of murdering a fellow inmate at New Zealand's only maximum security prison has objected to appearing in court via video link due to the coronavirus pandemic and security concerns.

The 39-year-old man appeared on a television screen in a North Shore District Court courtroom this morning after being one of four men charged with murdering Blake John Lee.

Lee died at Auckland Prison in Paremoremo on March 5.

The accused's lawyer, Ron Mansfield, said his client had instructed him to object to appearing via audio-visual link.

Mansfield told the court he understood the decision was made due to limitations on Corrections staff due to the coronavirus and security concerns.

Judge Pippa Sinclair noted the objection but indicated the reasons for the video appearance were strong.

It followed last night's announcement from Chief Justice Helen Winkelmann to suspend all new jury trials for two months because of the health crisis. She said maintaining correct hygiene requirements in the court system was unrealistic.

"There is a special onus on the courts to protect the health of jurors who are performing an important civic duty."

The murder accused was granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody.

He will be back in court again in the High Court at Auckland in two weeks, where he has again requested to appear in person.

During the brief hearing, the alleged killer could also be seen on the screen making hand gestures resembling gang signs, while members of Lee's family sat in the public gallery - one holding his ashes.

A 20-year-old man jointly charged with murdering Lee also refused to appear via video link today.

He was also granted interim name suppression and remanded in custody until the High Court hearing next month, when another 20-year-old man, also granted suppression, will appear.

The fourth murder accused, a 23-year-old man, also appeared in court this afternoon via video link, was granted name suppression and remanded in custody to the April date.

All four men are also accused of attacking another man and are charged with injuring with intent to injure.

Lee was behind bars for an attack on his partner, which occurred as he held her captive at a Rotorua house for several hours.

Corrections chief custodial officer Neil Beales previously said the incident at the prison took place in a yard.

"The alleged assault occurred in the unit's yard. Staff responded to stop the assault and provide medical assistance to the victim," he said.