Phil Cottrell One of the two men accused of murdering gay Wellington journalist Phil Cottrell will spend at least the next two weeks in custody. The bail application of Nicho Waipuka, 19, has been delayed until 15 February, APNZ reports. His co-accused, 18-year-old Manuel Robinson, has already been released on bail. Cottrell died in Wellington Hospital in December after he was attacked while working home from an overnight shift at Radio New Zealand. Police are still investigating the case and are trying to track down a man who handed Cottrell's credit card to a Trax Bar staff member after finding it at the Wellington Railway Station. Police would like to identify this man who handed in Mr Cottrell's credit card to a Trax Bar staff member on 10 December. Officer in charge of Operation Dean, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Miller, said the man is in no way connected to the investigation, but police would still like to identify and speak to him. "A wallet was also found at the Railway Station, as a result of a police search. Again, despite a number of enquiries, we haven't been able to determine whether this wallet in fact belonged to Mr Cottrell." He says police would like to hear from anyone who may recognise this wallet as being theirs, so they can either rule it in or out of the investigation. Anyone with any information should contact the Operation Dean team on 04 381 2000 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Friday, 3rd February 2012 - 2:54pm