John Collins via video link. Photos: ODT
John Kenneth Collins (37) appeared before the High Court at Dunedin this morning, by audio-visual link from prison, in front of Justice Gerald Nation.
He entered a not guilty plea to the murder of Brent Andrew Bacon whose body was found at a rural location north of Waitati on February 18, the day after police converged on a crime scene at Lock St, St Clair.
Collins admitted taking Mr Bacon's dark blue Toyota people mover on February 5.
It was later found in Picton.
Collins, who is in custody, will next appear in court in February.
A trial date of May 11 has been scheduled.
