Three men accused of murdering Jayden Mamfredos-Nair have entered not guilty pleas at Auckland High Court this morning.
Justice Mathew Downs recorded the pleas for each of the group — two 26-year-olds and a 20-year-old.
The trio were arrested last month after a body believed to be Mamfredos-Nair's was found amid investigations at a Dairy Flat property.
The accused have name suppression and are remanded in custody.
Justice Downs today set a start date in October next year for their trial, which is expected to last five weeks.
The case so far
Mamfredos-Nair was 19 when he was reported missing in April last year.
He was last seen at the Birdwood Reserve in Auckland's Rānui, before police said he was spotted leaving the reserve with two Head Hunters gang associates in a black 2022 Toyota Hilux without a canopy.
A black Hilux has since been seized by police and examined as part of the investigation.
Detective Inspector Callum McNeill has said "a large number" of people have been spoken to by the investigation team, alongside searches and canvassing.
A Head Hunters gang pad in Dairy Flat was the subject of police scrutiny during the investigation.
Police were not ruling out further arrests in relation to the case.
Anyone with information was asked to contact police on 105, referencing Operation Violin.
"For those people out there that might know something about Jayden's disappearance, I want you to forget those allegiances that you may have with those people. Now is the time to come forward," McNeill urged.
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