Loafers lodge accused pleads not guilty, insanity

Friday, 22 March 2024

The man charged with five charges of murder and two of arson over the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge has pleaded not guilty.

He appeared by audio visual link in the High Court at Wellington on Friday. His name is suppressed until trial.

His lawyer, Louise Sziranyi, entered not guilty pleas to all seven charges and she indicated that a defence of insanity would be offered at trial.

As well as claiming the lives of five men, the fire left more than 90 residents homeless and many lost all their belongings.

The dead were Michael Wahrlich​, 67, Melvin Parun​, 68, Kenneth Barnard​, 67, Peter Glenn O’ Sullivan​, 64, and Liam James Hockings, 50.

Justice Andru Isac remanded the man in custody until a hearing in April.

A trial is expected in August.