A man and a woman have denied murdering a Taupo preschooler.
David William Haerewa, 43, and a 26-year-old woman appeared in the High Court at Rotorua today where, through their lawyers, they each pleaded not guilty to the murder of Moko Sayviah Rangitoheriri.
The 3-year-old was admitted to Taupo Hospitalwith critical injuries in August. He died before he was able to be transferred to Starship Hospital in Auckland.
Family of the child were in the court's public gallery. Before the defendants were called, Justice Timothy Brewer issued a warning.
"Firstly I am a father and a grandfather and can only guess how the whanau is feeling at the moment. But I'm also a judge and have to keep order in court. If anyone in here who thinks they can't control their emotions when the defendants come to court, leave now," Justice Brewer said.
"If there is an outburst from the whanau I will clear the public gallery and nobody will see what happens. Any of you who think they can't control your emotions, now is the time to leave."
There were no disruptions from the public gallery during the appearance.
Name suppression for Haerewa was lifted, but the interim name suppression remains for his co-accused. A hearing will be held on October 22 to decide if her name suppression will continue.
