Teen girls to face trial for teacher's murder

Two teenage girls have been committed to trial for the murder of retired Opotiki school teacher John Rowe last November.

At the end of the depositions hearing in Whakatane Youth Court this morning, lawyers for the pair, Craig Horsley and Gene Tomlinson conceded a prima facie case and entered not guilty pleas.

Community magistrate Robyn Paterson remanded the two accused in custody, who were granted name suppression, to appear for callover in the High Court at Rotorua on May 7.

Mrs Paterson also granted an application by crown prosecutor Duncan McWilliam for a blanket suppression order on today's proceedings until the High Court date.

The crown produced transcripts of the evidence of 43 witnesses and one person took the stand to give oral testimony.

More than a dozen exhibits were handed up.

- NZPA