Man found not guilty in Rotorua murder trial

A man accused of fatally stabbing his mate was found not guilty at the end of a trial at the High Court in Rotorua today.

Tijay Witoko was on trial for the murder of Hemi Hohepa, 21, who was found on October 20 near Whakarewarewa forest with a single stab wound in his abdomen.

The court was told Witoko had told his friends how he had stabbed Mr Hohepa, but no one had believed him.

A 15-year-old witness had talked about how Witoko had confessed to killing Mr Hohepa a day before his body was found, but later denied it at the funeral.

Another witness claimed Witoko had known Mr Hohepa had been stabbed, but didn't say who was responsible.

The jury in the four-day trial returned with its verdict this afternoon after closing addresses this morning.

- NZPA