27 Jul 2021

Eli Epiha trial: Jurors unable to reach unanimous verdict

2:43 pm on 27 July 2021

The jury in the trial of police killer Eli Epiha has been unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Eli Epiha on trial at the Auckland High Court.

Eli Epiha. Photo: RNZ / Nick Monro

Epiha admits the murder of officer Matthew Hunt but denies a charge of attempted murder, in relation to officer David Goldfinch.

In the High Court at Auckland, Epiha is on trial alongside accused getaway driver Natalie Bracken.

He shot the two officers in Massey last June after fleeing a routine traffic stop and crashing into a parked car and a bystander.

The jury of 12 people retired to consider a verdict yesterday morning.

Justice Venning has now told the jury to try and reach a majority verdict - with at least 11 of them in agreement.