Quinton Paul Winders appeared in the High Court at Rotorua. Photo / Rotorua Daily Post
The man accused of murdering George Taiaroa has this morning entered a not guilty plea to the charge.
Quinton Paul Winders, 45, appeared in the High Court at Rotorua this morning and pleaded not guilty.
He has been remanded in custody.
The trial is set down to start on August 8 and will last four weeks. A case review hearing will be held on March 2.
Winders was arrested at the end of last month at his Stratford home in relation to the death of Mr Taiaroa who was fatally shot in 2013 while he operated a stop-go sign on a one-lane bridge in Atiamuri.
Local resident Jennifer Butler said the fire appeared to have started near Kakariki Rd.