A High Court trial of a man accused of murdering a service station worker more than 30 years ago has been adjourned again today because of a lack of jurors.
Menzies Reginald John Hallett, now 72, this morning pleaded not guilty to murdering Rodney Tahu in the early hours of August 16, 1979.
The trial was supposed to get underway this morning but not enough jurors were available.
The case was adjourned until 2.15pm today to try to find more jurors, but again there were not enough people available.
The case has now been adjourned until 10am tomorrow.
Eleven jurors were selected this morning but a twelfth could not be found as the rest were either challenged or excused.
Justice Ailsa Duffy retired to chambers with Rotorua Crown prosecutor Fletcher Pilditch and defence lawyer Paul Mabey QC.
When she returned, she announced court would be adjourned until 2.15pm for court staff to contact others selected for jury service to see if they could be brought to court.
She also excused another juror, who had spoken to her when selected initially. The remaining 10 jury members were instructed not to speak to anyone about the case during the adjournment.
A passing motorist found 32-year-old Mr Tahu lying in a pool of blood next to a pump in the forecourt of the Shell station.
The Saturday morning rugby referee and married father of two had suffered gunshot wounds to his head and shoulder.
He was rushed to Taumarunui Hospital but died a few hours later.
Mr Tahu's killing shocked the Turangi community and kickstarted a major manhunt, but it remained a cold case until late 2011.
Police believed it was the longest-running cold case in New Zealand's history to end in an arrest.
Hallett's trial, once underway, is expected to run for about two weeks.