The man accused of murdering 20-year-old Emma Agnew admitted to his then-girlfriend he'd killed the profoundly deaf Christchurch woman, Christchurch District Court was told today.
Liam James Reid (35) unemployed, allegedly strangled Miss Agnew to death at Spencer Park, north of Christchurch, last November 15.
Crown prosecutor Pip Currie told today's depositions hearing that Miss Agnew's body was found on November 27 with a sock stuffed into the back of her throat blocking her airways.
She also showed other signs of violence, including bruises.
A man walking his dog found the body hidden by scrub and pine needles off a walking track behind the Spencer Park camping ground.
She had been missing for 12 days.
The court was told the prosecution would call 29 witnesses during the depositions hearing, scheduled to run for a week.
Miss Agnew's parents and other family members were in court for today's hearing.
One of the largest media contingents seen at court since the David Bain bail hearing last May is covering the case.
Reid, a short stocky man with shaven head and heavily tattooed, sat in the dock flanked by two police officers.
He stared straight ahead during Mrs Currie's opening statement, fiddling with a pen.
Two sign language interpreters are translating the case for the large contingent of the Christchurch deaf community sitting in the public gallery.
