High Court appearance for Western Heights brawl members

Thirteen men have pleaded not guilty to charges relating to a Western Heights shoot out and subsequent police operation, but the group is not expected to go on trial until 2017.

Robert Julian Dashwood, Christopher John Jolley, George Robert Jolley, Chadwick Matapuku, Cramer Tana McMeeking, Daniel Tere McMeeking, Grant Mokai McMeeking, Peter William Smith, Thomas Te Aho Jnr, Thomas Albert Reginald Te Aho Snr, Waimarama Horomana Te Kani, Shane Temana Wallace and Major Wetini were excused from appearing in the High Court at Rotorua yesterday for their case review hearing.

Justice Timothy Brewer heard from the defendants' lawyers via video link.

The men face charges relating to two incidents - one on December 11, which saw two men hospitalised following a brawl on Turner Dr and one on December 15.

George Jolley is the only accused facing a charge of attempted murder, but the other men will also have their case heard in the High Court, as Crown prosecutors wanted to have all related charges heard together.

George Jolley had previously pleaded not guilty.

Crown prosecutor Chris Macklin said due to the number of defendants, witnesses and evidence, four weeks would be needed for the trial. As a result the case is not expected to go to trial until "some time next year".

The men will appear in court on June 15 when it's expected a trial date will be set.

Dashwood, Christopher Jolley, Daniel and Cramer McMeeking, Smith and George Jolley were remanded in custody. The remaining men were remanded on bail.

Charges:
• George Robert Jolley: Attempted murder, participation in an organised criminal group, possession of a firearm, discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawfully in an enclosed yard
• Chadwick Tamahou Matapuku: Participation in an organised criminal group, possession of an offensive weapon namely a hockey stick, 2x discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawfully in an enclosed yard
• Grant Mokai McMeeking: Possession of firearms, 2x unlawful possession of ammunition
• Shane Temana Wallace: Possession of firearms, unlawful possession of ammunition
• Peter William Smith: Possession of firearms
• Cramer Tana McMeeking: 2x discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, participation in an organised criminal group, possession of an offensive weapon, 2x possession of firearms, damage to a vehicle, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of cannabis for sale, cultivation of cannabis
• Thomas Albert Reginald Te Aho: Possession of firearms
• Daniel Tere McMeeking: 2x discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, participation in an organised criminal group, possession of cannabis for sale, possession of firearms, possession of an offensive weapon, cultivation of cannabis
• Robert Julian Dashwood: Discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, unlawful possession of a firearm, participation in an organised criminal group
• Christopher John Jolley: Possession of an offensive weapon, participation in an organised criminal group, discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• Waimarama Horomana Te Kani: Participation in an organised criminal group, 2x discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• Major Wetini: Participation in an organised criminal group, 2x discharge a firearm with intent to cause grievous bodily harm
• Thomas Te Aho Jnr: Unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition