Murder accused to stay behind bars until trial

The accused appeared in the High Court in Wellington. Photo / File

A man accused of fatally stabbing a woman at a party will stay behind bars until his trial next year.

Roy Charles Mataki, of Upper Hutt, was accused of murdering Sherena Williams, 24, who died a day after being stabbed on March 12

Mataki, in his early forties, was also charged with causing grievous bodily harm to Ms Williams' 19-year-old brother Damien after the attack in a car park near an apartment.

In April, he pleaded not guilty.

Last month, a member of the public gallery shouted abuse at Mataki when he appeared in court,

This morning, there was tight security and a police presence at the High Court in Wellington, and the case which proceeded without incident.

Justice Simon France remanded Mataki in custody until February 9 next year.

Justice France said there could be another callover hearing before then. If so, that hearing would happen in September 14.