Waikato murder accused in court

A 26-year-old man has appeared in court accused of murder after a drinking party in Hamilton turned violent.

In a brief appearance in Hamilton District Court yesterday, Bryce Tamati Kapea, of Hamilton faced a charge of murdering Jaycee Dallas Van Der Drift, The Waikato Times reported.

He was remanded in custody until Monday for a bail application.

Kapea's younger brother, Tauira Kapea, 17, also appeared in court yesterday charged with unlawful assembly.

He entered no plea and was granted bail to reappear in court next month.

A third man appeared in court on Thursday charged with possession of an offensive weapon in relation to the incident.

Mr Van Der Drift died early Thursday morning after allegedly being hit over the head with a hammer and then kicked on the ground outside his home in suburban Chartwell.

He and some friends had been holding a drinking party when another group arrived and fighting broke out.

Police said yesterday about 20 witnesses were helping with inquiries, but the weapon used in the attack had not yet been found.

- NZPA