Wellington, Nov 4 NZPA - A Wanganui freezing worker accused of murdering his brother was excused from attending court today because of illness.

Wellington District Court was told that David Bourke remained in Porirua Psychiatric Hospital.

His lawyer Steve Winter said it could be up to six weeks before it was known whether he would be fit enough to stand trial.

Bourke, 46, is charged with murdering his brother Timothy whose body was found under a blanket in a car which was crashed in southern Hawke's Bay on October 4.

Bourke was arrested two days later after a massive police hunt.

He also faces charges of attempted murder, aggravated assault with a firearm, and using a firearm against an enforcement officer.

He was further remanded to reappear in Palmerston north District Court on December 16.

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