Man accused of murder of Wayne Reid in Coleraine to be released from prison to attend mother’s funeral
A murder suspect allegedly named in the victim’s “dying declaration” is to be released from prison for his own mother’s funeral, a High Court judge has ruled.
Darrell Shaw, aged 34, is accused of involvement in the fatal assault on Wayne Reid at a flat in Coleraine.
He was granted compassionate bail under strict conditions to attend the service on Wednesday.
Shaw, of no fixed abode, remains in custody charged with murdering Mr Reid earlier this year.
The 43-year-old victim was found dead at a house in the Society Court area of the town on January 12.
Post-mortem examinations established he died from a ruptured spleen due to blunt force trauma.
Detectives believe Mr Reid was beaten with an iron bar two days earlier at a nearby flat before seeking refuge in the property where his body was discovered.
Two witnesses have claimed he made phone calls to them during the intervening period in which he identified the defendant as one of the assailants.
Mr Reid told them that he had been battered and robbed, and named Shaw as being involved, previous courts heard.
The prosecution confirmed plans to rely on the evidence as a form of “dying declaration”.
Another suspect questioned by police has alleged that Shaw punched Mr Reid in the face and dragged him into the hallway area of the flat.
Ongoing animosity between the two men over accusations of stealing a car is being explored as a potential motive.
The victim himself was said to have claimed he was hit multiple times with an iron bar during the assault.
Two days after the suspected attack police discovered that type of potential weapon at the flat in “bleach-infused water”.
With Shaw seen in the area both before and after the suspected attack, forensic tests found Mr Reid’s blood on his clothing.
During interviews he provided a pre-prepared statement denying any responsibility for the death.
Defence representatives insist Mr Reid’s injuries could have been caused by a fall or some other incident over the two-day period before his body was found.
Shaw was not named as having brandished the iron bar in the alleged phone calls, they have stressed.
His lawyers returned to court on Tuesday seeking temporary release following the death of his mother.
No objection to the application was raised by the prosecution.
Granting compassionate bail, Mr Justice McLaughlin directed Shaw must be taken directly from custody to attend requiem mass at the Church of Our Lady of Mercy in Lavey, Co Derry.
The judge banned him from contacting witnesses or co-accused during the eight-hour period of permitted release.
He told the defendant: “At the conclusion of any reception you are to return to the prison without delay or diversion.”