Three men accused of murder to remain in jail until trial

Matthew Stevens' body was found near his car in thick bush on a steep slope off Paekakariki Hill Road. Photo / Supplied via police

The three people accused of killing Wellington man Matthew Stevens will stay in jail until their trial next year.

At the High Court in Wellington today, Stuart Graham Wilton and Darrin John Wilkie-Morris were remanded in custody until February 9, when their murder trial is expected to begin.

Kelly Leigh Crook, also accused of murder, had her attendance at the callover hearing this morning excused.

All three defendants have pleaded not guilty to killing Mr Stevens.

Today's hearing was quiet and without drama, compared to previous ones where Mr Steven's friends and family voiced their disgust at the defendants and Crook made an obscene gesture at the public gallery.

Mr Stevens, 32, was last seen buying a six-pack of beer at a Lower Hutt supermarket at 10.30pm on November 27.

His body was found the next morning near his car, in thick bush on a steep slope off Paekakariki Hill Road, some 35km away.