Three appear in court over Mt Roskill death

Nineteen-year-old Esau Vailagilala and Unalotu Kipulotu Tongia and 43-year-old Faamanu Ian Fesuluai have been accused of assaulting John Li'a, who died yesterday morning. File photo / NZ Herald

Three men appeared in court yesterday charged with assault after a man was killed during a fight in Mt Roskill in the early hours of the morning.

Nineteen-year-old Esau Vailagilala and Unalotu Kipulotu Tongia and 43-year-old Faamanu Ian Fesuluai have been accused of assaulting John Li'a, aged 23, who died on the side of Nash Rd with stab wounds and severe injuries about 1.30am.

Vailagilala is also facing a charge of obstructing constable Owen Davies while on duty.

A duty solicitor said Vailagilala could face a more serious charge and requested he be remanded in custody to organise a solicitor and Samoan interpreter.

A male family member sobbed in the public gallery as each defendant, two of them dressed in white jump suits, appeared in the dock with little expression on their faces.

Police said Li'a, of New Lynn, had been at a small party near Revel Ave and everyone at the party was being interviewed by police.

A post-mortem had been completed but police would not release the cause of death.

A police tent was set up on Nash Rd which has been cordoned off between Richardson Rd and Morrie Laing Ave.

Each man was remanded in custody by consent until tomorrow.