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Joint murder charges have now been laid against two men previously accused of assaulting a Dunedin youth whose body was found in a Christchurch park.
Sonny Avon Rehu, 30, unemployed, and Thomas Tihema Christie, 24, also unemployed were jointly charged with murdering 16-year-old Shaun Finnerty-Gallagher, whose body was found at Auburn reserve in Riccarton early on February 13.
The pair appeared separately in Christchurch District Court today and were remanded in custody for pre-depositions hearings on April 10.
Christie's lawyer Margaret Sewell indicated she would apply for bail. Rehu's lawyer Mark Callaghan made no such application.
In a statement Detective Inspector Greg Williams said the investigation was ongoing.
"We have had tremendous support from the public and numerous businesses within the Riccarton area and I would like to thank everyone who has assisted the investigation so far," he said.
He was unable to comment further on the investigation as the matter was before the courts.
Last month Mr Williams said Shaun was discovered virtually naked from the waist down, with just his socks on, and police were investigating whether there was any sexual aspect to the attack.
- NZPA
