Denis Phillips..this from the news today.

A 16-year-old charged with murdering 59-year-old south Auckland policeman Denis Phillips was back in court today.

The youth, whose name is suppressed, reappeared in Papakura Youth Court this morning and was further remanded in custody until October 1.

The body of Mr Phillips, who had been with police for 12 years, was found in his Papakura home on July 31. No details about how he died have been released.

Denis Phillips, for those that might have followed the details, was a man who had been a career Army professional, among other duties, serving undercover overseas when attached to Police operations in Asia. Returning home, he was a serving member of the police. Tomorrow, his family will finally have the opportunity to clean out his home where he was killed. On the weekend following his funeral, since retracted claims were made about Denis Phillips in weekend newspapers. Specifically, that he was gay and led a particular gay lifestyle. I guess the sexuality of a dead person is of some moment, but I hardly recall where it is reported whether or not a dead man or woman is heterosexual except with Denis.

But I wonder more about the details of his death and cannot ask at the moment for answers to questions that are raised, because to do so would be enable rumour and possible prejudice to due process. Due process, our old friend, that puts things in order and in which we must trust and not subvert like the Sunday papers and their sources have already done against Denis Phillips, servant in life and death of our country.