A man accused of murdering a Turangi father of three will defend the charge, a court was told today.
Douglas Kotahi Ham, 35, was committed for trial, charged with murdering James Samuel Galloway, following a brief depositions hearing in Taupo District Court.
Mr Galloway died from a stab wound believed to have been inflicted during a domestic incident in Turangi in May.
Ham's lawyer Jonathan Temm conceded a prime facie case had been established and entered a plea of not guilty on behalf of his client.
Family members and supporters of the deceased packed the courtroom and some wept openly as the 37 prosecution witness statements were handed up to JPs Tony Israel and Gordon Stevenson.
Ham was remanded on continued bail to appear in the Rotorua High Court on October 8.
NZPA