The man accused of murdering Auckland man Denver Chance has pleaded not guilty.
Jay Christopher Lingman, 41, at his first High Court appearance in Auckland. Photo: RNZ
Jay Christopher Lingman, 41, appeared before Justice Moore in the High Court at Auckland this morning.
Family and friends of Mr Chance, whose body was found at a Kingseat address two weeks after he went missing, packed the public gallery this morning.
Denver Chance Photo: Supplied
Mr Lingman, who is represented by Ron Mansfield, was arrested outside a Mt Eden bar earlier this month.
He first appeared in the Papakura District Court where he was granted interim name suppression.
This morning he did not seek further name suppression and was remanded in custody to next appear on 5 June.
Mr Chance, 43, was last seen on 24 February, when he told friends at his flat in Mairangi Bay that he was popping out and would be back in an hour.
Shortly after he left the property his car, a red Nissan Skyline, was spotted on CCTV footage heading down Auckland's Southern Motorway near Drury.
He was reported missing on 27 February and on 10 March police carried out a search warrant at an address in Kingseat where Mr Chance's body was found.
They were able to narrow their enquiries following phone data and CCTV footage which placed Mr Chance in the area.
Mr Lingman, whose occupation is listed as a builder, will go to trial in May 2020.