Butcher denies murdering wife

A Wellington butcher has denied murdering his wife at a suburban service station.

Emani Tinoa'i, 48, allegedly stabbed his wife Moliga Tatupu-Tinoa'i, 42, to death on the forecourt of the Johnsonville Mobil station on March 14 last year.

He pleaded not guilty in the High Court at Wellington this morning to the charge.

A jury was sworn in this morning, but the trial will not start until tomorrow as legal arguments were being heard for the rest of the day.

The case was scheduled for about three weeks with more than 60 witnesses due to be called.

- NZPA