Death of outback murderer hasn't killed hope of finding victims remains
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NZ Herald
13 minutes ago
- NZ Herald
Kiwi family speaks after UK man killed by wife with samurai sword
Andrew Rowland-Stuart, 70, died in May 2024 following a frenzied knife attack by his wife. Image / Sussex Police However, she was deemed unfit to plead following a psychiatric assessment and was instead tried under a 'trial of the act' - a legal process that determines whether someone committed the act in question, regardless of their mental intent at the time, The Telegraph reported. She has been sentenced to an indefinite Hospital Order under Section 41 of the UK's Mental Health Act. The couple had been in a civil partnership since 2006. Speaking after the verdict, Andrew Rowland-Stuart's family released a statement acknowledging the support they received during the investigation, particularly from British police and volunteers. 'We would like to say a huge thank you to everyone involved with this case over the past year,' the family said. 'To DC Anna Stacey for her care and communication with the family while we were in England and back home in New Zealand, and to Andrew's Sussex 4x4 family, especially Jason, who helped us immensely while we were there.' According to The Telegraph, graphic details of the killing were laid out in court. Prosecutor Charlotte Newell KC said the 'sheer number and nature of the wounds' made any claim of self-defence untenable. 'Whatever the cause for attacking Andrew, the sheer number and the nature of the wounds inflicted could not have been a reasonable use of force,' she told jurors. The court heard Andrew Rowland-Stuart's legs and stomach were covered in blood in footage captured by a doorbell camera. She was seen knocking on neighbours' doors and shouting 'help' and 'Andy's dead'. While on the phone to police, Joanna Rowland-Stuart claimed her husband had tried to kill her with a samurai sword, and that during the scuffle he had 'fallen on the sword'. But prosecutors said the 50-plus stab wounds were consistent with her gripping the weapon and inflicting the injuries, rather than acting defensively. 'Andy was lying in the small living room in a pool of blood,' Newell told the court. 'He was covered in blood from significant knife wounds to his hands, his arms and to his torso. He was wearing underwear and a long sleeve t-shirt and that was soaked through.' Inside the house, police found the walls, a cabinet, sofa and shower stained with blood, The Telegraph reported. Neighbours described the couple as quiet and said they had never heard them argue. But internet searches from Joanna Rowland-Stuart's phone revealed a fixation with swords, including replica and samurai-style blades, in the weeks leading up to the killing. Judge Christine Laing KC ruled Joanna Rowland-Stuart unfit to stand trial, saying: 'She would be an unreliable witness in her own defence and would not be fit to be cross-examined.' Detective Chief Inspector Alex Campbell of Sussex Police said: 'Our thoughts remain with the family of Andrew, and we want to thank everyone who has assisted us in this complex investigation.'
RNZ News
an hour ago
- RNZ News
Defence to explore potential plea deal in murder trial over brothers killed in Mexico
By Carrington Clarke , ABC Callum, left, and Jake Robinson with their family dog. Photo: Instagram/Supplied Lawyers for the four people charged in connection with the alleged murder of Australian brothers Callum and Jake Robinson have asked for another court delay, to give them more time to discuss a potential plea deal with prosecutors. Judge Oscar Padilla agreed to grant them until a new hearing date on 13 November, but he said this would be the last delay in the case and warned all the lawyers that they would be fined if they were not prepared for the next hearing. Three men - Jesús Gerardo, also known as "El Kekas"; Irineo Francisco and Ángel Jesús - all face charges of aggravated homicide, aggravated robbery, violent robbery and grand theft auto over the killing of the Australian brothers and their American travelling companion, Carter Rhoad, in April last year. Jesús Gerardo is also charged with forced disappearance. The prosecution said a fourth suspect, Ari Gisell, was facing charges of inciting a violent robbery, but was not charged with murder. The defendants' surnames have been withheld for legal reasons. It was Ari Gisell's lawyer who asked the judge for a delay to allow time for discussions to take place with the prosecution regarding a potential plea deal. His motion was then supported by the other defence lawyers. The lawyer said the prosecutor's office was seeking a 32-year sentence for his client, but he believed eight years would be more appropriate given the crime she was accused of. Ari Gisell was romantically involved with one of the other defendants at the time. Photo: Supplied / ABC None of the suspects has entered a plea to any of the charges at this point. Prosecutor Raúl Gerardo Cobo Montejano told the ABC that if the accused pleaded guilty, it was possible they would receive a reduced sentence. The legal manoeuvrer was a surprise to the families of the victims, who were watching proceedings via video link. The judge asked an advocate who was attending proceedings on behalf of "indirect victims" to talk to them privately about what had occurred in court. Last week's hearing was postponed to allow time for both sides to consider arguments about whether to combine El Kekas's forced disappearance charge with the other charges. But there seems to be a dispute within the prosecution's office about exactly what transpired in April. A rescue worker descends into a waterhole where human remains were found near La Bocana Beach in Ensenada, Mexico, on 3 May, 2024. Photo: AFP/ Guillermo Arias The lead prosecutor in the homicide case told the judge he did not agree with the theory that the victims were first kidnapped or detained before being killed, as his colleague had contended. The judge expressed exasperation that there was not a consistent theory from the prosecution office at this point in the case. Irineo Francisco has links to the Sinaloa cartel, according to court documents. Photo: Supplied / ABC The judge has allowed the forced disappearance charge to be rolled in with the other charges, but it is unclear which will be the working theory when the case resumes. Jake and Callum Robinson, and their American friend Carter Rhoad, were found dead after disappearing during a camping trip in Mexico's remote north-west in April last year. They had travelled south to surf while Jake, a 31-year-old doctor from Perth, was visiting Callum, 32, who was living in California after moving to the US to play lacrosse. Both Callum (left) and Jake Robinson are keen surfers. Photo: Supplied / Instagram The defendants' surnames have been withheld for legal reasons. Last week, the ABC revealed that two of the accused, Jesús Gerardo and Irineo Francisco, had suspected links to the Sinaloa cartel. Local authorities had previously said there was no evidence linking the killings to cartels, despite their frequent violent activity in the region. Jesús Gerardo. Photo: Supplied / ABC / Mexican police A court document said the men were transferred from the local Ensenada jail to the maximum-security El Hongo complex last August, after prison authorities raised concerns about their alleged cartel links. The Sinaloa cartel, which was once led by the high-profile crime boss El Chapo, is considered one of Mexico's most brutal. - ABC
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
One injured, shot fired in armed robbery at Whangārei bar
Photo: 123RF The owner of a Whangārei pub says a customer is injured and staff are traumatised after an armed robbery last night. Craig Woods who owns the Kensington Tavern said a man with a gun burst into the premises about 9.30pm, went behind the bar and ordered staff to give him the till's cash drawer. He said two staff and three customers were still at the pub as it was closing. "The staff did the correct thing by giving them the till, and it all happened pretty quickly. But one of the patrons intervened. The offender sort of broke free, and so the patron backed off." St John said it took one person to hospital with moderate injuries. Detective Sergeant Ryan Cooper who is the head of the Tactical Crime Unit said officers were called to the bar at 10pm, after a man entered the bar holding a firearm and demanded money. He then fired a shot towards the roof of the bar and assaulted one of the patrons, before taking cash from one of the bar's tills. He then fled the scene in a white Toyota Aqua or a similar model, driven by a second person. The car had stolen licence plates attached, registration KHA69. The injured person was transported to hospital, but has been discharged. Police said they are urgently working to locate the two offenders, and anyone with information is urged to contact 105 online or via phone, quoting file number 250726/2971. Information can also be provided anonymously via Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
