The trial of two men accused of killing a Radio New Zealand
reporter has started in the High Court in Wellington today.
Nicho Waipuka, 20, and Manuel Robinson, 18, have pleaded not
guilty to a charge of murdering 43-year-old Phil Cottrell.
A jury of five men and seven women were sworn in this
morning.
Mr Cottrell was badly beaten while he was walking home from
working an overnight shift at the radio station on Boulcott
St in central Wellington nearly a year ago today.
He was found fatally injured by a taxi driver early on
December 10.
Mr Cottrell died in hospital a day later, surrounded by close
friends and family.
Waipuka has been in custody since first appearing in court
and Robinson has been on bail.
Nearly 70 witnesses will be called during the trial, which is
set down for two weeks.
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