Taupo Police investigating the death of Rosemary Ives have referred the file to the Crown Solicitor

Members of the Taupo Police investigating the death of Rosemary IVES at Turangi last weekend have referred the file to the Crown Solicitor at Rotorua to review the circumstances of the death and the current charge.  Part of this review will be to consider whether a more serious charge should be laid.

The man arrested for the death currently faces a charge of Careless use of a firearm causing death.  He is due to appear in the Taupo District Court on Wednesday the 29th October 2010. 

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce has said "This charge has historically been preferred in most hunting related deaths.  As this investigation progresses it is clear there are elements of the circumstances of Ms Ives death that differ from these other hunting related deaths that Police have previously dealt with.  Given these differing circumstances, it is important that the appropriateness of the current charge be reviewed by the Crown Solicitor."

Mr Pearce also says "it is unlikely that the review and final decision around this will be completed before the first court appearance next week.  I envisage that a two week remand will be sought for this process to be completed."

NB: Given the review by the Crown, no further commentary will be made by Police until the review is complete.  Any changes to the charge will be communicated via further media release.  Police will not be taking further media questions about this matter until all Court matters have been concluded.

Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce
Officer in Charge - Crime Services
Taupo Area