Ian David Moller, 82, died after an arson attack in November 2024. Photo: Supplied
A group of men accused of setting fire to an Upper Hutt home which killed an elderly man have pleaded not guilty to murder and arson.
Ian David Moller, 82, was critically injured when his Stokes Valley flat was set alight in November, and died four days later.
It was the third arson at the Hanson Grove block of flats within a month.
The first took place on 10 October, another on 14 October, and the third, after which Moller died, on 5 November. All of the fires started during the early hours of the morning.
Three men, aged in their 20's and 30's, were charged with murder and arson, while a fourth man in his 20's was accused only of arson.
They pleaded not guilty to all charges at the High Court in Wellington, and have been able to keep their names secret until a suppression hearing in October.
Emergency services at the scene of a house fire on Hanson Grove in Lower Hutt's Stokes Valley on 5 November 2024. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker
Moller's niece, Denise Harrison, earlier told RNZ her family was "heartbroken" Moller had died in such tragic circumstances.
"He was a very quiet man who went to church and spent time with his friends and he was never a bother to anybody," she said.
"So to have his life ended so tragically is just completely heartbreaking for all of us."
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