Tauranga murder accused pleads not guilty

A Tauranga man accused of murder will have his fate determined by jury. Photo/file

A Tauranga man accused of murder will have his fate determined by jury.

Colin Richard Jeffries-Smith, 26, pleaded not guilty to the murder of Lance Wayne Waite, 58, when he appeared in the Tauranga District Court yesterday. Waite was dumped at Tauranga Hospital suffering from critical injuries in last month. He did not survive.

Jefferies-Smith was arrested and charged a few days later.

Jefferies-Smith will defend the allegation at a jury trial which will begin on February 11 next year.