KEY POINTS:
The three remaining men charged in relation to the shooting of toddler Jhia Te Tua were committed for trial this morning.
On the final day of the Wellington District Court depositions hearing, Godfrey Thomas Muraahi, Erueti Chase Nahona and Richard Anthony Puohotaua were ordered to appear at a High Court call-over next month where a trial date will be set.
All face a downgraded charge of manslaughter after Jhia was killed when hit by a high-powered rifle bullet during a drive-by shooting of her Wanganui home in May last year.
The men also face charges of being part of an organised criminal group, namely the Mongrel Mob.
A fourth man, Luke John Check, also faces trial on a charge of being an accessory after the fact of murder.
It is alleged he assisted Hayden Wallace - who has pleaded guilty to the murder - attempt to change his appearance after the shooting.
Muraahi this morning conceded there was a case to answer, while Judge Russell Callander ruled to commit Nahona and Puohotaua, despite claims by their lawyers there was insufficient evidence to do so.
A fifth man, Ranji Tane Forbes, pleaded not guilty in Wellington District Court yesterday to charges of murder and being part of an organised criminal group in relation to the shooting.
Twelve men were originally charged with Jhia's murder, but charges were altered or downgraded during the depositions hearing.
Wallace and Karl Unuka Check pleaded guilty at the start of the hearing to murdering the toddler and being part of an organised criminal group.
Two others have already pleaded guilty to manslaughter and being part of a criminal group, and three others to being part of a criminal group.
Sentencing for all the men who have pleaded guilty is set down for May 23.
All four men in court today were due to appear at the High Court call-over on May 26.
Nahona was remanded in custody, while the others were remanded on bail with conditions.
- NZPA
