The name of a 16 year-old youth accused of the murder and sexual assault of 15 year-old schoolgirl Liberty Rose Templeman at Kerikeri in November 2008 is to remain suppressed until a verdict at his jury trial, which started in the High Court at Whangarei today.
The accused, who is identified only as K, quietly pleaded not guilty to both charges.
Justice Raynor Asher also banned the publication of names of juvenile witnesses and the still photography and televising of the accused.
The judge said he would review the suppression order of the accused's name when a verdict was known.
The accused was 15 when he allegedly sexually assaulted and killed Liberty Templeman, known as Libby, whose body was found on the banks of the Wairoa Stream in Kerikeri. They had been pupils at the local high school, but there is no suggestion that K was the girl's boyfriend.
Three weeks has been set aside for the trial and the Crown is expected to call more than 40 witnesses.
NZPA