Epsom motel death: Teens plead not guilty

Beauen Wallace-Loretz and Leonard Nattrass-Berquist. Photo / Supplied

The two teenagers accused of murdering a man at an Auckland motel have pleaded not guilty.

Leonard Nattrass-Berquist and Beauen Daniel George Wallace-Loretz, both 17, appeared today in the High Court at Auckland over the death of 54-year-old Ihaia Gillman-Harris on December 27 at the Ascot Epsom Motel.

A four-week trial was set for November.

The pair, who hugged in the dock today, were released on electronic bail last month.

Justice Woolford ordered both to serve a 24-hour curfew with family members - Nattrass-Berquist on the North Shore and Wallace-Loretz in West Auckland.

Both were barred from using alcohol or drugs.

Nattrass-Berquist and Wallace-Loretz went to police on New Year's Eve after their names had been released to the public in relation to Mr Gillman-Harris' death.

Two days later, they were charged with murder and made a brief court appearance at Auckland District Court.

At their next appearance the following week, two further charges were laid against each of the youths.

They are also accused of robbing Mr Gillman-Harris of cash, a cell phone and bank card as well as unlawfully taking his $15,000 Range Rover.