Online media have been banned from printing the name and
images of two men accused of murder, despite them not being
suppressed for use by other media.
The men, aged 23 and 22, were remanded in custody when they
appeared in Manukau District Court charged with murdering
14-year-old John Hapeta in Weymouth, south Auckland, on
August 12.
Their lawyers did not seek name suppression, but Judge David
Harvey said online media could not print their names nor
photographs to prevent the public searching for their names
online while their case was before the courts.
Judge Harvey said he was worried about "the viral effect of
digital publication" and concerned the public would search
for their names on search engines such as Google.
He also said he was concerned at the prospect of video clips
turning up on the video sharing site YouTube.
Judge Harvey said newspapers could run the names and images,
as could television news bulletins.
Television images could be re-broadcast in subsequent news
items but could not be made available for view on its
website.
At least two news organisations are believed to be
considering their options following the decision.
The two men each faced four charges when they appeared today.
Along with the charge of murdering John Hapeta, they are
charged with threatening to kill Christopher Burns,
assaulting John Pokaihau-Rogers with the intent to rob him
while being armed with a pistol, and using a pistol in
committing a crime, namely assault with the intent to rob.
They were remanded in custody and will reappear in Manukau
District Court on Friday.
A 15-year-old boy also appeared in Manukau Youth Court today
in connection with the incidents.
He is jointly charged of assaulting John Pokaihau-Rogers with
the intent to rob him and of using a pistol in the commission
of a crime.
The boy, who cannot be named due to his age, was also
remanded in custody and will reappear in Manukau Youth Court
on Friday.
John Hapeta was beaten to death outside his home in Weymouth
on August 12 during a small birthday gathering.
Outside court, family members of John said they were still
grieving his death.
"It's a struggle when you lose a son to a tragedy at such a
young age," his uncle Aaron Hapeta said.
"He was loved by his parents and was a well-liked boy. We'd
just prefer not to be talking about him in the past tense and
wish he was still with us."
His great-uncle Rangi Hapeta said there was anger upon seeing
the accused in court today, and he hoped justice would be
served.
