Man accused of Manning murder sent for trial

MELLORY MANNING: Her badly beaten body was found in the Avon River.

Relevant offers

Crime

'King hit' man loses appeal Judge blasts herbal drugs as 'huge problem' No trial this year for Manning murder-accused Date set for Ashburton murder trial Hawera woman on trial for 'car-jacking' Urewera raids: 'Multiple compo claims possible' Urewera police raid actions 'unlawful' Man caught DIC of a knee-high bike Businessman guilty of driving into girls Runaway millionaire's appeal fails

The 24-year-old man accused of kidnapping and murdering Christchurch sex worker Mellory Manning has been sent for trial in the High Court.

Mauha Huatahi Fawcett, an unemployed man who was arrested in Auckland in late March, had his post-committal conference day today after it was delayed to allow the police more time to prepare their case.

A judge has now examined the briefs of evidence to be presented in the case and decided that it should be sent on to the High Court for trial.

Fawcett remains in custody away from Christchurch, ahead of the High Court pre-trial conference, which has been set for December 14.

Manning, 27, was working as a prostitute along Manchester St on December 18, 2008. Her body was found in the Avon River the next morning.

Police believed she had been throttled, punched, and struck on the head and legs with a metal bar, and stabbed three times in the chest.

- © Fairfax NZ News