Murder accused claims self-defence in Christchurch shooting trial

Monday 13 October 2025 · 5 outlets · 5 reports · updated Tue 14 Oct 2025, 7:49pm

James Arthur Holder is on trial at the Christchurch High Court for the murder of David Bridgwater. Holder admits to the shooting in Aranui on 4 January 2024 but his lawyer claims he acted in self-defence. The court has also heard reports of a drug sale occurring hours before the incident.

How they headlined it

4h11h9h

Mon 6pm9:40pmTue 8:40am5:10pm7:49pm

1. NZ HeraldMon 13 Oct 2025, 6:00pm

   Christchurch trial: James Holder shot David Bridgwater but says it was self-defence (opens in new tab)

   • Christchurch murder trial told of drug sale hours before David Bridgwater shot dead (opens in new tab) Tue 14 Oct 2025, 7:49pm
2. RNZMon 13 Oct 2025, 9:40pm

   Murder accused shot Christchurch man David Bridgwater in self-defence, lawyer claims (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesTue 14 Oct 2025, 8:40am

   Murder accused claims self-defence after Chch shooting (opens in new tab)

4. The PressTue 14 Oct 2025, 5:10pm

   ‘What have you done?’: Aftermath of Christchurch man’s fatal shooting caught on camera (opens in new tab)

   Also on Stuff (opens in new tab)