Gary Kimura murder accused committed to trial

Four men charged with murdering Tauranga man Gary Kimura will defend the allegation at trial.

Jesse Christopher Hartley, 27, of Mount Maunganui, Taonui Hiku, 25, and Witeri Ahomiro Neketai, 34, both unemployed from Te Puke, and Joseph Rewiri, 44, from Auckland were committed to trial in Tauranga District Court this morning.

The murder charge relates to a serious assault on 44-year-old Gary Clayton Kimura at his Margaret Rd home on October 5, 2011 and subsequent death in Tauranga Hospital on November 16.

Mr Kimura, who was initially admitted to Tauranga Hospital, was airlifted to Waikato Hospital on the night of the attack, with a life-threatening brain injury.

He remained in a coma for several weeks, but was then transferred back to Tauranga Hospital on November 9 and succumbed to his injuries on his 44th birthday.

The four accused will next appear in Rotorua High Court on May 31 for a callover hearing to set a trial date. Hartley was further remanded on bail today, while the other three men remain in custody.