Murder accused can hear evidence

The three men accused of murdering an Auckland man and dumping his body in a New Plymouth garage will be allowed to attend court today to hear what evidence police have gathered against them.

Mikhail Pandey-Johnson, 23, Rhys Fournier, 22, and Karl Nuku, 18, have been remanded in custody by consent since their arrest for the murder of Dean Stuart Browne, 38, of Auckland.

The three men face a total of 23 charges, including murder, interfering with human remains, and illegally possessing firearms and drugs.

During a short appearance in the New Plymouth District Court yesterday, defence counsel Paul Keegan asked that the three be permitted to attend court today when the Crown would make disclosures on the police case.

Judge Allan Roberts gave approval for the men's appearance.

Mr Keegan said the three agreed to be remanded in custody. Each was applying to the court for electronic bail at the end of March.

Dean Browne's bound and gagged body was discovered in a Drake St, New Plymouth garage on January 22.

A short but intensive manhunt by armed police in and around New Plymouth and Lake Mangamahoe followed, resulting in the three being arrested.

Shortly afterwards, police discovered a six-year-old child abandoned on Robe St in the car the men had allegedly been using.

In the days following, police moved the focus of the homicide investigation to a flat in Oriental Parade, Wellington where about seven people, including Mr Browne and the three accused, are believed to have lived.

While it was initially believed the accused men had no connection with the residents at Drake St, police later revealed they had a "loose connection" with a woman occupant.

- © Fairfax NZ News