A man has gone on trial accused of murdering his friend, Bretton Roy Hall, whose body has never been found.
David Lyttle in the Palmerston North High Court. Photo: RNZ / Anne Marie May
Mr Hall, who was known as Bret, was last seen in May 2011.
His friend David Lyttle, 53, has been charged with the Whanganui man's murder.
A jury of 10 women and two men has been chosen to hear the case in the High Court in Palmerston North.
The Crown will call 60 police and civilian witnesses during the trial, which is expected to run for about 10 weeks.
