A Christchurch man accused of murdering cat rescue worker Kerry Leigh Downey three weeks ago was remanded for a pre-depositions conference next week when he appeared in Christchurch District Court today.
Ashley Donald Peach, aged 41, from Upper Riccarton, has entered no plea to murder and a charge he originally faced of stealing a Cats' Protection League cat cage worth $50, the Christchurch Court News website reported.
Defence counsel David Stringer said he had not yet received any substantial disclosure from police of paperwork relating to evidence in the case.
He hoped this would be made available to him before the pre-depositions conference on September 18.
It is possible that a date for depositions will be set at that hearing.
Miss Downey, 52, was out on cat rescue work when she disappeared on August 18 and her body was later found by a walker on the Port Hills.
Her car was left abandoned in Neville Street, Spreydon.
Judge Raoul Neave continued a suppression order preventing publication of the details of discussions at a bail application made a week ago by Peach.
