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A man who identified himself as the son of murder victim Michael Joseph Graham was removed from a Christchurch court while swearing at the man accused of killing his father.
Nathan Ihaka Te Hana, 46, briefly appeared in Christchurch District Court before Judge Stephen O’Driscoll on Wednesday on a single count of murder.
Several police officers were in the courtroom, along with court and correctional security officers.
Graham’s supposed son, who was sitting in the front row of the public gallery, jumped up as Te Hana entered the courtroom. Judge O’Driscoll ordered him to leave the room.
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As officers were leading him out of court, he yelled profanities at Te Hana, calling him a “piece of shit.”
Te Hana did not plead guilty to the murder charge and did not request bail.
His lawyer requested that the name be temporarily suppressed so that he could inform his family of his arrest. Judge O’Driscoll said that was not reason enough for a name suppression order and rejected the request.
Te Hana was arrested Tuesday in connection with an incident at a property in Linwood on Sunday.
Steven Walton / Stuff
A police tent was set up on the property on England St in Linwood, Christchurch.
Police received a report around 2.30pm that Graham needed medical assistance at a property on England St. The 57-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.
On Tuesday, Detective Senior Sergeant Sarah Illingworth said police had launched a homicide investigation after investigations established that Graham was involved in an assault at the Linwood home.
A close resident previously told him Stuff there had previously been suspicious activity on the property and people were always coming and going.
