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Series 4, Episode 15 Masterchef New Zealand 19 May 13 00:43:41

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Balmoral murder-accused to undergo assessment

Published: 10:26AM Thursday June 28, 2012 Source: ONE News

A man has been sent for a psychiatric assessment after being charged with murdering 36-year-old Dean Andrew Clark in an Auckland home.

Clark died in his rented Balmoral Rd flat late on Tuesday night or in the early hours of yesterday morning.

A 38-year-old man, who had lived at the same address, appeared in the Auckland District Court today charged with the murder.

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The man, who has been granted name suppression, has been admitted to the Mason Clinic after being assessed by a forensic psychologist as being in need of 24-hour psychiatric care.

The man will undergo a medical assessment to see whether he is fit to stand trial.

Clark's parents told ONE News they are "absolutely devastated" by the death of their son.

His landlord, Finlay Smith said Clark had been happy.

"He told me about the course that he'd just passed and the courses he was looking forward to doing.

"The thing he didn't tell me was how scared he was."

Smith said Clark had gone to him for help when it became clear the new housemate he had allowed to move into his rented flat was mentally ill.

"He'd only been there for five days and Dean thought he would be ok, but Dean said to me when he came in he noticed that he started yelling and Dean told me he had tried to get him out," Smith said.

After Clark served him with an eviction notice, it is alleged the 38-year-old stabbed him.

"I just didn't realise that he was that bad you know," Smith said.

"People like that shouldn't be on the street."

Neighbour David Hogg said the murder-accused had earlier knocked on his flat door at 1.20am.

"And we were like why are you knocking on our door? And he started asking for a random girl that ...wasn't even living there, and we kind of got a bit freaked out, and the next day no one stayed at the flat."

The 38-year-old is expected to reappear in court on July 12 when name suppression will be reconsidered.

The man's family appeared in court today. The accused glanced around the court nervously and was dressed in a white padded suit. He was pale, unshaven and had long matted hair.

His family was aware of his illness and police say they called them after he turned up at their home and told them what he had done.

Detective Sergeant Mark McHattie said the accused was found in Remuera yesterday morning.

McHattie said a post mortem examination was carried out this morning and confirmed that Clark died as a result of stab wounds.

The Auckland District Health Board said it is aware of "a serious incident" involving the murder-accused, who is known to its mental health services unit.

"Our thoughts are with all those involved," the ADHB said.

"In line with our established processes we will be undertaking an investigation into the circumstances and are assisting the police with their inquiries."

Police and forensic scientists will continue a scene examination tomorrow and are speaking to associates of both men in a bid to uncover the circumstances around the tragedy.

NZ News

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