Pair plead not guilty to Stevens murder

A memorial to murdered man Matthew Stevens.

Two more people accused of murdering Wellington man Matthew Stevens have pleaded not guilty today.

Stuart Graham Wilton, Darrin John Wilkie-Morris and Kelly Leigh Crook are accused of murdering Mr Stevens, whose body and crashed car were found on November 28.

The trio appeared before Justice Simon France in the High Court at Wellington for a case review today.

The small public gallery was again packed with friends, family and supporters of Mr Stevens.

Wilkie-Morris and Wilton both pleaded not guilty, to gasps from the public gallery and remarks of "liar".

Crook had already pleaded not guilty in February.

All three remain in custody and will reappear in court on August 4 for a call-over hearing.
A trial is expected to start on February 9 next year.

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 about 35km away.