Susan Couch among witnesses in triple murder trial

11.45am

Eight men and four women jurors were sworn in at the High Court in Auckland today to hear triple murder charges against two men.

William Duane Bell and Darnell Kere Tupe are charged with murdering three people at Auckland's Mt Wellington RSA on December 8 last year, attempting to murder a fourth person, and the aggravated robbery of the RSA.

Bell is also charged with the theft of nearly $5000 from the St George's Tavern in Papatoetoe a week earlier.

Crown prosecutor Simon Moore was expected to take the rest of today and some of tomorrow morning before calling the first of about 160 witnesses.

The witness list includes Susan Couch, the woman Bell and Tupe are accused of trying to murder.

Ms Couch spent several weeks in intensive care after the attack.

The trial is scheduled for six weeks in the historic number 1 court at the Auckland High Court.

- NZPA