A man facing three charges of attempted murder after allegedly shooting at police officers near the Waikato town of Morrinsville has made his first appearance in the High Court at Hamilton.
Rollie James Heke, 37, today pleaded not guilty to the charges.
He was arrested at a home in the Kaingaroa Forest township, near Rotorua, in August following a 12-day police manhunt after three officers came under fire from a man armed with a semi-automatic rifle after a traffic stop south of Morrinsville.
Heke also denies unlawfully possessing a semi-automatic military-styled rifle, unlawfully possessing ammunition, possessing equipment and material used to manufacture methamphetamine and failing to stop for police.
Five other people also appeared in court today charged as being accessories to attempted murder.
They're Natasha Dawn Telford, 43, from Taupo, Joseph Manunui Long, 32, from Taupo, Rangimaria Haami, 62, from Napier, Monique Jane Eggleton, 29, from Hamilton, and Irene Scanlon, 44.
Eggleton and Scanlon have also been been charged with the possession for supply of methamphetamine.
Justice Sarah Katz further remanded Heke and Telford in custody while the others were all remanded on bail until their next court appearance on February 22.
They're expected to face a three-week jury trial starting on October 1 next year.
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