The trial of a man accused of murdering his friend, who disappeared in May 2011, has been called off.
David Lyttle in the Palmerston North High Court. Photo: RNZ / Anne Marie May
David Lyttle was accused of killing Whanganui man Bret Hall after what the Crown described as a dispute over money.
However, the defence suggested Mr Hall had been killed during a drug deal gone wrong.
Justice France told jurors this morning that information revealed by a Crown witness this week should have been disclosed at a much earlier stage.
He said it would not be possible within the trial's existing timeframe to give the defence adequate time to consider that information, so the trial would have to be brought to an end.
Justice France discharged jurors and indicated a retrial will be arranged for Mr Lyttle.
