Trial date set down for Bay of Plenty murder accused

Murder accused Robert Roupere Hohua made his first court appearance in the High Court at Tauranga today. File/Photo.

The Bay man accused of murdering an Opotiki woman will defend the allegation at a jury trial in October next year.

Robert Roupere Hohua, 35, who earlier denied a charge of murder, made his first appearance in the High Court at Tauranga today.

Hohua is charged with the murder of a woman at a Wellington St house in Opotiki on November 22.

Police earlier said they performed CPR on the woman but could not save her after being called to the address following reports of a domestic dispute.

Hohua's lawyer Gene Tomlinson told Justice Tim Brewer that his client maintained his denial to the murder charge.

Mr Tomlinson and Crown prosecutor Richard Jenson said there were no outstanding pre-trial issues which would prevent a trial date being scheduled.

Justice Brewer further remanded Hohua in custody to next appear at his two-week jury trial set to begin in the High Court at Tauranga on October 30 next year.

A case review hearing would take place on March 8 to ensure there were no issues that needed to be resolved ahead of the trial date, Justice Brewer said.