Teens accused of Kuirau Park murder named

The teenagers charged with the Kuirau Park murder of Roman Skorek in January can now be named.

 

William Karauna Edwards, 15, and Leslie McKay Glen, 14, appeared in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday when Justice Graham Lang ruled that their interim name suppression had lapsed.

The teenagers and Simon Meka Herewini, 20, are jointly charged with murder.

All three have pleaded not guilty and are set to stand trial in the High Court at Rotorua on February 11. Edwards and Herewini are  in custody, while Glen is on bail.

A fourth man Rawiri James Samuel, 21, has already pleaded guilty to the murder and will be sentenced on December 6.

In court yesterday,  Justice Lang ordered a report be completed by a health professional, preferably a psychologist, as to whether Edwards was able to properly understand the court process, the evidence to be given and the advice given to him by his lawyer. He also made specific orders for the February trial, to take account of the young ages of Edwards and Glen.

These included no gowns to be worn by the judge and lawyers, shortened sitting hours each day, an approved support person for each of the teenagers and for the accused to sit at tables rather than in the dock.

 

The body of 64-year-old Mr Skorek was found in the geothermal park on January 23.