An Invercargill man accused of murdering a young father and attempting to murder another man has denied the charges.
The 26-year-old accused, who has interim name suppression, made a brief appearance via audiovisual link in the High Court at Invercargill before Justice Jan-Marie Doogue yesterday to enter not-guilty pleas.
Counsel Sonia Vidal entered the pleas on behalf of her client for the charges of murdering Chad Parekura and attempting to murder another man.
The double stabbing, near the courthouse in Don St, happened early on April 23.
Mr Parekura was found unconscious and died at the scene.
The other victim was transported to Southland Hospital with critical injuries.
The defendant was arrested in Invercargill two days later.
Friends and family of Mr Parekura were present in court holding a picture of the Lower Hutt man.
A hearing about the defendant’s name suppression was held in the High Court last week but all details were suppressed.
Justice Doogue remanded the man in custody until his next case review hearing on August 9.
