The identity of two Mount Maunganui men accused of murdering another man found dead in Ohauiti can now be revealed.
Hiakita Hori Eruera, 36, and Paul William Taki, 37, who appeared in Tauranga High Court today, both denied one count each of murder, wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and assault with a weapon, namely a wrench.
Name suppression lapsed today for both men as a jury trial was set down to begin in the High Court at Rotorua on November 23 this year.
The murder charge relates to the alleged stabbing of 19-year- old Takena Tiepa-Ranapia with knife, who was found dead in Ohauiti on the evening of November 30 last year.
The other two charges relate to the alleged stabbing of second man and the assault against a third man with a wrench in Ohauiti Rd earlier the same evening.