Although defendants usually have lawyers for charges as serious as murder, Moananui is representing himself. But lawyer Paul Surridge, appointed by the court to help him, told the jury on Friday Moananui was too unwell to be in court. Moananui had a skin complaint that had not yet been treated. It was so serious he had been unable to sleep for three days, Surridge said. “We hope it’s not something the other people [in the dock] can catch. “He needs to catch up on sleep and get some treatment for it.” Moananui appeared to have a bad rash on his arms, legs and scalp when he was in court on Thursday.