Bouncer remanded in custody on murder charge

A bouncer was remanded in custody today on a charge of murdering a man outside a Napier bar at the weekend.

Jonathan Charles Tekahu, 24, of Marewa, Napier made no plea to murdering James Gregory Scia Scia, 30 in the early hours of Sunday morning.

He was remanded in custody until April 27 by Judge Geoff Rea in Napier District Court.

The short-haired and stockily built Mr Tekahu wore a white hooded jacket for his court appearance which lasted about a minute.

His lawyer, Steve Manning, sought a remand by consent until April 27 and told Judge Rea he was seeking no other orders.

A post mortem was being carried-out in Wellington today to determine the precise cause of death, but Napier CIB head Detective Senior Sergeant Bill Gregory said police believed he had died from "trauma" to the head.

Mr Gregory said Mr Scia Scia spent the night in the company of two women but became separated from them.

The women went into the Envy night club, and Mr Scia Scia attempted to join them just after 2.30am.

He was intoxicated and was denied access, Mr Gregory said.

"There were dozens if not hundreds of people in that area but only a few would have seen what happened," he said. "We want to speak to those people."

He said several people had come forward already and helped police piece together the events leading up to the death.

First-time bar owner Jamie Ellis, 21, opened Envy as a cafe, lounge bar and nightclub in December.

She said today she had been advised "not to say anything."

Older brother Jeremy, 31, today described Mr Scia Scia as "a big teddy bear who wouldn't hurt a fly".

He said his brother was a hard-working freezing worker at Richmond's Takapau freezing works.

Mr Scia Scia was was a keen sportsman who played rugby union, league, basketball and volleyball.

"He was a very popular guy. He and his partner were very happy.. He was a happy-chappy who had just taken his lady and a friend out for the night,"

Jeremy Scia Scia said another brother, Raymond, was coming up from Invercargill to attend the funeral.

"We were very close. I'll miss everything about him. He was such a lovable guy. He got on with everyone".

Though described as a bouncer, Mr Tekahu was described in court as unemployed.

- HAWKE'S BAY TODAY