The man accused of a fatal North Dunedin stabbing will have his identity suppressed while his mental health is assessed.
The 25-year-old defendant appeared in the High Court at Dunedin yesterday accused of the murder of 36-year-old Aneli Helu Katea whose body was discovered at a Great King St property on October 10.
Mental health reports were directed at the defendant’s first appearance a fortnight ago, but Justice Rachel Dunningham said they had not yet been completed.
Assessors had requested up to 10 weeks to deliver their findings but the judge said that delay was too lengthy and she would "insist" on the reports being available before the next court date in December.
The defendant, who appeared in court by video link and waved enthusiastically to the court, was granted continued name suppression.
Mr Katea was described by a former flatmate as "a lovely guy" and she said the victim was, for the most part, an ideal person with whom to live.
"We’d all be at work and would come home and the house was spotless. He’s got his music blasting," she said.
The ex-flatmate told the Otago Daily Times Mr Katea liked a drink but was "still a nice, calm guy" when using alcohol.
Since leaving the home they shared, the man had moved to a boarding house before she lost track of his movements, she said.
The defendant did not apply for bail and was remanded in custody without plea.
