Murupara murder trial delayed again

File photo / NZ Herald

The trial of five Murupara men charged with the murder of a teenager has been further delayed until Friday.

The trial was due to start on Monday in the High Court at Rotorua and was again put off today.

Justice John Priestley indicated the delay was due to pretrial matter still being considered.

He apologised to the waiting jury panel for the hold up.

Neville Duff, 33, Joshua Leslie-Whitu, 17, David Rewi, 24, Jerome Rutene, 18, and Hemi Winitana, 17, are charged with murdering Kaine Lewis, 17, at Murupara in August 2009.

They face an additional charge of participating in an organised criminal group.

- NZPA