Not guilty plea in Seacliff murder trial

Police at the scene in March. Photo: ODT
Police at the scene in March. Photo: ODT
The trial of a man accused of murdering a woman at Seacliff, near Dunedin, is likely to take place early next year.

Stephen Findlay (59) was charged with murder after the body of 54-year-old Sharon Diane Comerford was found at her Coast Rd home early on March 8 this year. Ms Comerford had been shot.

Findlay was found seriously injured in the nearby Truby King Reserve and charged on April 6 at a bedside hearing in Dunedin Public Hospital.

He appeared before Justice Wylie by audio visual link in the High Court at Dunedin today.

Counsel Judith Ablett-Kerr, QC, confirmed that Findlay had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Justice Wylie said a definite trial date could not be given at this stage but the case could possibly be heard after another trial scheduled for February 13.

Mrs Ablett-Kerr said she had a trial in Wellington in mid-March but did not think that would interfere with the Findlay trial.

Findlay was remanded in custody for a formal callover of the case on August 23 this year.

 

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