14 Oct 2015

Tostee to stand trial over Kiwi's death

7:47 pm on 14 October 2015

Australian man Gable Tostee will stand trial over the death of New Zealander Warriena Wright, who fell from a Gold Coast high-rise balcony last year.

Warriena Wright (known as Rrie)

Warriena "Rrie" Wright Photo: SUPPLIED BY QUEENSLAND POLICE

Tostee, 29, is charged with Ms Wright's murder.

She fell 14 floors from a Surfers Paradise balcony in August last year.

The pair had met hours earlier via mobile dating application Tinder.

During a recent bail hearing, Tostee's lawyer said he locked Ms Wright on his balcony and she apparently fell after climbing over a railing.

But the Crown said Tostee committed a life-threatening act by assaulting Ms Wright and locking her on his balcony, causing her to fear for her life and try to escape.

Last month, the Southport Magistrates Court adjourned Tostee's case so witness statements could be signed.

It was due to return to court tomorrow but Tostee's lawyer, Nick Dore, and prosecutors have agreed the case should proceed in the Brisbane Supreme Court.

A trial date has not yet been set, and Tostee remains on conditional bail.

Since being charged with Ms Wright's murder, Tostee has served 10 months behind bars for a high-speed police pursuit which took place after a music festival in Byron Bay in July last year.

He has taken to both social media and a bodybuilding forum to proclaim his innocence in Ms Wright's death and also changed his name by deed poll to Eric Thomas.

He still appears in court under the name Gable Tostee.

- ABC / AAP