Muchirahondo rape trial jury begins 10th day of deliberations

The jury in the trial of a Christchurch man facing 30 sex charges is entering its tenth day of deliberating on Monday.

John Hope Muchirahondo is facing 21 charges of sexual violation by rape, and nine of sexual violation by unlawful sexual connection and one of not providing access to a cell phone.

The trial began on 29 July at the High Court in Christchurch.

The jury has already lost one member due to illness, and last Wednesday asked Justice Lisa Preston what would happen if they could not reach a unanimous decision and were advised they could return a majority verdict.

On Friday, the ninth day of deliberations, the jury said in a question that the judge had said in her summing up that if they could not reach a unanimous or majority verdict on all charges she would have further directions for them, and they asked what that further advice was.

Justice Preston advised the jury could be discharged on certain charges if they could not reach a verdict on those, and they could deliver a verdict on other charges where a decision was reached.

The judge also asked the jury to take more time if they thought they could reach a verdict on any of the undecided charges.