Roofer charged with murder after death outside tavern

A man has been charged with murder after a 35-year-old Auckland man was found dead outside the Tahuna Tavern, near Morrinsville, on Wednesday.

Christopher John Peni, a 27-year-old roofer from Mangere, entered no plea when he appeared in the Hamilton District Court yesterday. He is charged with the murder of Raymond Grant Heatherington.

Peni, who was wearing police issue overalls, stood unmoved in each of three court appearances yesterday.

He was remanded in custody to appear again in a fortnight's time after a full psychiatric assessment.