Intersection murder accused pleads not guilty, trial set for 2028

Tuesday, 24 June 2025

The man facing a murder charge after a woman was run down at a major Hamilton intersection has pleaded not guilty to her murder - but won’t stand trial until 2028.

Michael Karekare appeared at the High Court in Hamilton on Tuesday where, via lawyer James Gurnick, he entered not guilty pleas to one charge of murder and one charge of assault using a vehicle as a weapon against another person.

Justice Kiri Tahana said a trial date had been set for February 14, 2028.

She said that “I appreciate that this is some time out”, but that a closer trial date may become available by the time of the next case review on August 19 this year.

She said a week had been allocated for the trial, though Gurnick told the court “five to seven [days] is a safer bet”.

Justice Tahana also asked Gurnick whether Karekare had any “dependent children”, something she said the Court now records.

Gurnick said that Karekare is a father of three, though they reside with their mother.

Police launched a homicide investigation after Hamilton woman Jayde Gilbert, 30, was killed after a vehicle drove into a traffic light pole she was standing next to on the corner of Ōhaupō Rd and Kahikatea Drive about 9.30am on Thursday, May 15.

In a statement, Detective Senior Sergeant Scott Neilson said police thanked those who helped Gilbert after she was struck and those who responded to their appeals for information during the investigation.

Karekare, 38, was remanded on bail ahead of his next appearance.