The teenager accused of sexually violating a 69-year-old woman in her Te Atatu home before murdering her can be named for the first time.
Cun Xiu Tian Photo: SUPPLIED
Jaden Lee Stroobant, 19, appeared at the High Court in Auckland today where his name suppression lapsed.
Family members found Cun Xiu Tian dead in her Te Atatu house last month.
Mr Stroobant, who is also from Te Atatu, faces one charge of murder and two of sexual violation.
Justice Lang set a trial date for November and put defence lawyers on notice that Mr Stroobant would need to enter a plea when he next appeared in April.
Police officers involved in the investigation were in court this morning.
They have previously said a post-mortem examination found Ms Tian endured a brutal, prolonged assault.
A 43-year-old woman, charged with being an accessory to burglary, is expected to appear in court this week.
Members of Aucklands Chinese community picketed outside the court.
Picketers outside the High Court in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Mohamed Hassan
An organiser, Cindy Zhang, said the group wanted the government to toughen it's stance against crime.
Ms Zhang said the protest was not about the Chinese community, but for everyone to feel safe in New Zealand.
