Two Auckland teenagers have appeared in court in Australia accused of murdering a man during a "robbery gone wrong".
David James Galloway, 19, a waiter, and Malakai Lui, 19, a kitchen hand, both from Auckland's North Shore, are jointly charged with Australian Dustin Johnston of murdering Daniel "Danny" Dwyer, of the Gold Coast town of Biggera Waters in August last year.
Southport Magistrates Court yesterday was told Mr Dwyer, 46, unemployed, was bound and assaulted and later found dead in the hallway of his home, the Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Duct tape, zip ties, gloves, a telephone cord and a surfboard strap were allegedly used during the assault.
The three accused later told police it was a "robbery gone wrong" and they did not mean to kill anyone.
Acting Detective Sergeant Todd Miller told the magistrates all three told police they had planned to rob Mr Dwyer to get money and cannabis but they never intended to kill or seriously harm anyone.
Mr Miller said he could not say what killed Mr Dwyer but police believed it may have been a combination of his hands and feet being bound and tied behind his back and the surfboard strap being used.
Galloway's barrister Michael Purcell said no DNA or fingerprints were found from his client.
Mr Purcell said his client told police he was present at Mr Dwyer's house but did not take part in tying the man up.
Galloway was scared and went into the rooms of Mr Dwyer's house and pretended to search because he was worried what the other two men would do if he refused.
Detective Sergeant Peter Robb told the court DNA from Johnston and Lui was found on Mr Dwyer's clothing.
