Ōmanawa murder accused denies charges, identity remains suppressed

Tauranga Court House. Photo / File

The identity of a Bay of Plenty man who has denied murdering 30-year-old Tauranga man Jamin Roemaata Harrison remains a secret until the start of his trial next year.

The defendant, 51, who appeared in the Tauranga High Court on February 24 via an audiovisual link from prison, pleaded not guilty to one charge each of murder and unlawful possession of a firearm, namely a shotgun.

Police found Harrison's body at a McLaren Falls Rd property on January 25 this year after officers responded to reports of a person being injured at the address.

The defendant's not guilty pleas were entered by his lawyer Maria Pecotic.

Justice Graham Lang told the defendant he would seek to find a jury trial hearing date in April or May next year in the High Court at Rotorua.

Justice Lang said the interim name suppression order would remain in place until then.

He remanded the accused man in custody to next appear in the same court on June 30 for a callover hearing to discuss trial dates and any pre-trial matters.

The defendant's bail application hearing will take place next month.