They are participating in an organised criminal group, robbing Butler of a radio scanner and four mag wheels and doing grievous bodily harm to Brent Butler.
Tempers flared towards the end of procedings as the Auckland-based Judge remanded the accused in custody, setting a next call-over date of April 2.
"Get your fella's s**t sorted man," yelled a defendant.
"F***ing produce the evidence or f***ing let us go. Stop f***ing with our lives man and our families lives."
James Butler was found dead at a Wikitoria Rd property on the evening of April 22 2018.
The 53-year-old was confirmed to have been serving a community-based sentence at the time.
Police launched a homicide investigation following the incident and the National Dive Squad was called in to search the Whanganui River while police carried out forensic examinations at the scene.
There will be a hearing in the court again on December 11 at 9am in which the attendance of the defendants is excused. A case review hearing is set for February 5 at 9am.
