Three men and two women charged with murder following the fatal bashing of Wanganui man Paul Kumeroa have appeared in court today.
All five accused were granted name suppression in two separate appearances at Hawera and Wanganui District Courts.
Mr Kumeroa, 29, died of head injuries at Wanganui Hospital after being found unconscious in Cross Street, Castlecliff about 9.50pm on September 23.
He had been walking home from a night out when it was believed he was assaulted by the occupants of a passing car.
In a pre-planned police operation about 8.30am today, 15 officers from Taranaki, Tararua, Palmerston North and Wanganui went to three addresses in Wanganui and one address in Patea, in Taranaki.
The three men, aged 34, 22 and 17, and women, aged 22 and 19, were arrested.
The men would reappear at Wanganui District Court on Friday while the two women would not reappear until December 8.
