Name suppression continues for a Southland man charged with manslaughter, despite his identity being known by many in his small rural community.
The man, 20, yesterday denied charges related to the February ute crash, which claimed the life of 20-year-old Jack Victor Hugh Stephens.
In the High Court at Invercargill, he pleaded not guilty to manslaughter and an alternative charge of drink-driving causing death.
He also pleaded not guilty to drink-driving causing injury to a second victim.
A woman on Mr Stephens’ supporters’ side of the public gallery was visibly upset before the hearing began and cried loudly when the not-guilty pleas were formally entered.
Counsel Kate McHugh argued for interim name suppression for the defendant to continue, while the Crown was opposed.
Ms McHugh acknowledged members of her client’s community knew his identity but said she was concerned about the impact of the "wider publication" of his name.
Crown prosecutor Mike Brownlie said locals already knowing the man’s name called into question the "utility" of suppression.
He argued the impact on the defendant came as a result of the accident and would be there regardless of whether the defendant was named.
Other details of the defendant’s application were suppressed by Justice Jonathan Eaton.
Justice Eaton said it would help the court to know the defendant’s estimated blood-alcohol level at the time of the accident.
Mr Brownlie agreed.
The judge granted the continued suppression and acknowledged the families of both the defendant and Mr Stephens who were in court.
Police previously said they attended the fatal crash on the Niagara-Tokanui Highway about 8.35pm on February 15.
They said a ute had rolled between McManus Rd and Quarry Hills Fortification Rd, and despite the best efforts by emergency services, Mr Stephens died at the scene.
Two others in the vehicle received serious to critical injuries, police said.
At the start of July, a relative of Mr Stephens told the Otago Daily Times the family were "just pleased" a prosecution was going ahead over the fatal crash.
At the time, the relative said the family were still pretty upset and declined to comment further, saying they would wait and see what happened at the trial.
"It’s still too fresh," the family member said.
The defendant will next appear in court in November.
