Five men accused of murdering 49-year-old Pahiatua man James Whatuira have pleaded not guilty.
Mr Whatuira was killed by a single gunshot wound at a house on Ormond St, Woodville, in January, which was later destroyed by fire.
Daniel Jordan Rei, a 41-year-old vineyard worker from Nelson, charged with murder, and four other men entered their pleas in Wellington High Court on Monday, via video link from Palmerston North.
Troy Simmons, Scott Simmons, William Hartley and Michael Fiti, of Dannevirke and Woodville, were each originally charged with being party to murder but the charges were upgraded to murder. A trial was set down for next year.
