Red Fox Tavern cold case: Trial begins in High Court

Chris Bush (inset) was shot at the Red Fox Tavern in 1987. Photo / NZ Herald

The trial of two men accused of being behind the infamous fatal Red Fox Tavern robbery in Maramarua has begun with the empanelling of 12 jurors.

Mark Joseph Hoggart, 60, and a man with name suppression are jointly charged with the aggravated robbery and murder of its publican, Christopher Bush, on October 24, 1987.

It is alleged cheques and cash to the value of just over $36,000 were stolen.

Mark Joseph Hoggart pictured at the first day of his trial in the High Court at Auckland. Photo / Dean Purcell

The jury - consisting of seven men and five women - that will hear the lengthy case was selected today in courtroom 11.

Justice Mark Woolford told the jury the sole issue in the trial was the identity of the two heavily disguised men who had burst into the pub that night and robbed it of its weekend takings.

Both the men on trial deny they were the offenders.

"You must be objective in your assessment of the evidence," Justice Woolford told jurors.

"You must be dispassionate in your assessment of the evidence.

"There is no room for prejudice in anyone who acts as a judge.

"You may hear things during the course of this trial which will cause you to have feelings of anger or sympathy. You must put such feelings to one side."

Justice Mark Woolford. Photo / File

The Crown case will be led by Natalie Walker, the Crown Solicitor for Manukau, and Ned Fletcher.

Their case is expected to involve evidence from more than 60 witnesses.

Tauranga lawyer Craig Tuck is acting on behalf of Hoggart, while Wellington lawyer Christopher Stevenson is representing the other defendant.

The trial in the High Court at Auckland is expected to last about 10-12 weeks.

The High Court trial begins today. Photo / File