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Three people charged with manslaughter after the death of a man in Epsom, Auckland, have pleaded not guilty and kept their names secret at their first court appearance.
The men, aged in their 20s, include two brothers. All three are part of the same wider family group.
They are jointly charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of Adrian Selwyn, 39. He was found dead at a property in Epsom’s Manukau Rd on March 15.
Police arrested the men this morning.
They appeared one at a time in the Auckland District Court before Judge Evangelos Thomas.
Judge Evangelos Thomas granted the trio interim name suppression in their first appearance at the Auckland District Court on Tuesday morning. File photo / Sylvie Whinray
They are also jointly charged with possession of methamphetamine for supply. Two face related charges of meth supply, while one copped a firearms charge.
Barrister Mark Ryan represented the 24-year-old man who is not one of the brothers. He entered not guilty pleas on all charges.
Ryan sought and was granted interim name suppression because of what he described as the extreme distress displayed by the defendant’s mother when she began to be told about the charges.
Judge Thomas granted name suppression on an interim basis.
At a defendant’s first appearance, they only need to show they have an arguable case for suppression.
But the Judge said a higher standard would need to be met to keep name suppression after the next appearance in the High Court, likely including medical evidence.
Shane Tait represented the brothers, aged in their late 20s, who also entered not guilty pleas and were granted interim name suppression.
The brothers had several family members present in the public gallery. One saluted the family members from the dock, who waved back.
The grounds Tait used to successfully arguing for interim name suppression for the brothers cannot be reported at this stage for legal reasons.
None of the men applied for bail and they were remanded in custody ahead of their next appearance in the Auckland High Court on April 26.
Auckland City East Police area investigations manager Detective Senior Sergeant Greg Brand said an investigation into the the death was ongoing.
