By KEVIN TAYLOR
HAMILTON - A 31-year-old unemployed man has been arrested and charged with murdering 70-year-old Hamilton pensioner Paropkari Lal.
Police said they had also found a knife which they believe was used to kill Mr Lal.
Mr Lal's body was found in an Hamilton park on Saturday.
Detective Inspector Bruce Scott said last night that police still wanted to talk to people who were in the Ferry Bank Park area between 8 pm on Friday and 6.35 am on Saturday.
And they still wanted to find a young man with blond spiky hair, seen in the park in a distressed state.
Mr Scott said that this man had "no involvement with the homicide."
Among people police would like to see are guests at a benefit function for test cricketer Simon Doull.
The function was held on Friday night at the Meteor Theatre, across Victoria St from the park.
Mr Scott said that some guests had already come forward, but police wanted to speak to all of them.
"They may have seen something suspicious earlier in the night," he said.
About 30 staff were working on the investigation yesterday as Mr Lal's funeral service was being held at Hamilton's Seddon Park Funeral Home.
Mr Lal's family told the Herald that he had no enemies, and they could not understand why he was killed.
Mr Scott said Mr Lal had a small wager at the Frankton TAB on Friday night, but did not collect any winnings.
Police believe he had little money on him when he was killed.
He was dragged between 50m and 60m to the spot where his body was found.
Man, 31, charged with slaying
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