Murder trial delayed due to translation problems

The start of the High Court trial of a man accused of murdering Christchurch estate agent Yanfei Bao was delayed this morning due to translation problems.

Tingjun Cao, a 53-year-old Chinese national, was charged with the murder of Yanfei Bao on July 19, 2023, the day she disappeared.

He pleaded not guilty.

Bao went missing in July last year and her body was found on farmland near Christchurch just over a year later.

Tingjun Cao does not speak English and was assisted by a Chinese translator during the trial.

The trial was due to start at 10am on Tuesday with the first witnesses due to take the stand.

Judge Lisa Preston said the translation and broadcast of yesterday’s opening address and the judge’s opening remarks had not yet been completed.

She said the trial would resume at noon.