A Roxburgh man has made his first appearance in a court since
being charged with murdering his wife.
Lesley Ann Johnston was fatally shot on March 11.
A week later, her 66-year-old husband, Warren Bruce Johnston,
was charged with her murder.
The charge was initially the subject of a special bedside
court sitting at Dunedin Hospital on March 18.
From then until July 7, when he was released on
electronically monitored bail, Johnston was under a 24-hour
daily curfew in a ward at the hospital, where he was under
medical and psychiatric care.
Because of various health issues, his appearance was excused
at several subsequent hearings in the Dunedin District Court.
Johnston was leaning heavily on a walking stick and assisted
by a relative when he entered the body of the High Court at
Dunedin yesterday.
His counsel, Anne Stevens, asked for the case to be adjourned
so she could file a pre-trial application.
Crown counsel Robin Bates said, given the health issues, the
trial should be given priority.
Justice Christine French remanded Johnston on continued
electronically monitored bail for another callover on
September 28, when the pre-trial motion may be heard or a
priority date set for trial.
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