Murder defendants named

Four men charged after the death of James Butler in Whanganui in April can now be named.

Mark Robert Audain, 36, Daniel Shane Whareaorere, 37, Kemp Rangitahae Rippon, 27, and Wayne David Reardon, 30, all pleaded not guilty to murdering Butler on April 22.

Another man, 27, whose name was suppressed, also pleaded not guilty at the High Court hearing yesterday conducted by audio visual link between a judge in Wellington, and lawyers and defendants in Whanganui.

All five pleaded not guilty to robbing Butler, 53, of a radio scanner and four mag wheels, wounding Brent Butler with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm and taking part in an organised criminal group involving serious violence.

The wording of the charge of taking part in the organised criminal group was so long and convoluted that one of the defendants pleaded not guilty but said: ‘‘I’ve got no idea what the hell he was talking about.’’

Justice Simon France said the man’s criticism was fair and a shorter wording was put to the defendants facing that charge.

A sixth man, 32, whose name was suppressed, was charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, by tampering with evidence. He pleaded not guilty. All were remanded in custody. At least one started protesting about being in custody and the likely wait until a trial, and the judge allowed him and others to return to the cells before the hearing ended.

No trial date was set but it was suggested it might not take place until 2020. The case is due back in court in December to monitor progress.

A seventh man who was to appear in court yesterday was not present. He was expected to appear later in the week. His name was suppressed in the meantime.