Hayden Miles The man accused of murdering gay Christchurch teenager Hayden Miles has sat with his eyes downcast at the start of his trial at the High Court in Christchurch. Gavin Gosnell, 28, is charged with killing the 15-year-old on August 22, 2011. The teenager’s remains were found at Ruru Lawn Cemetery four months after he went missing. Six men and six women have this morning been selected to sit on the jury. Justice Lester Chisholm has asked the jurors not to allow prejudice or sympathy to cloud their judgement, and to approach the case and evidence with an open mind. Gosnell is wearing a long-sleeved light blue striped shirt buttoned to the neck, with his black hair swept back into ponytail. He has been allowed by the judge to sit in the body of the court immediately behind his lawyer. He’s generally kept his face and eyes cast down, and stayed hunched over when sitting, remaining expressionless and making very little eye contact if any with anyone in the court. There is a large media contingent and more than 30 people in the public gallery for the opening day of the trial. Interim suppression is in place regarding the names of several witnesses, and the details of other charges arising from the case. Gosnell’s trial is set down for three weeks.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Monday, 8th April 2013 - 11:41am