Michael Douthett appeared via audio visual link at the High Court in Rotorua. The man charged with the murder of Rotorua woman Patricia Wallace has been deemed fit to plea - but his defence lawyer has sought a second report to examine his sanity. Michael Edward Douthett​, 58, appeared via audio visual link from Waikato Hospital's Henry Bennet Centre at the High Court in Rotorua on Friday. His lawyer Max Simpkins said the most recent report into his client found "Mr Douthett currently fit to plea". At an earlier High Court hearing in December Simpkins had entered a plea of not guilty.

Source: Stuff April 11, 2019 21:56 UTC