Emily Longley murder trial delayed

Emily Longley. Photo / Supplied

The trial of the man accused of murdering New Zealander Emily Longley in Britain has been delayed by an on-going legal argument.

Elliot Turner was led into the dock of Winchester Crown Court, southwest of London overnight.

He was seated beside his co-accused parents Leigh, 53, and Anita, 50, who are each charged with perverting the course of justice with regard to Emily's death.

Elliot has pleaded not guilty to murder and a second charge of perverting the course of justice, while his parents also refute the charges against them.

Emily, who went to high school on Auckland's North Shore, was found dead in Bournemouth last May in the bed of Elliot Turner, 20.

Prospective jurors were given a brief outline of trial logistics on Wednesday local time, including that it will last more than four weeks, hear evidence from some 20 witnesses and focus on the area of Bournemouth on the English south coast where the victim's body was found in May last year.

Turner's defence is arguing whether some evidence should be allowed to be used in the trial, which has delayed the beginning of the trial.

Jurors were read a list of witness names which included Emily's father Mark Longley, and business premises linked to the case including nightclubs and a jewellers' shop.

England-born Emily, an aspiring model, grew up in Auckland and moved to
Bournemouth in 2010 where she was living with her grandparents while working at a clothes shop and studying at a nearby college.

A jury is expected to be empanelled on Thursday local time, with the trial due to commence on Friday or Monday before Justice Linda Dobbs.

Emily, a 17-year-old student, had been living near Bournemouth since moving from Auckland to finish her studies.

She previously attended Hauraki School, Westlake Girls' High and Takapuna Grammar.

Turner has described Emily as his girlfriend, but her family have said he was merely pursuing her.

Turner and Emily are said to have been drinking together on the night of her death.

Emily's father Mark has flown to London and planned to attend every day of the trial.

- Herald Online, AAP