A teenager charged with fatally stabbing a promising rugby league player outside a Grey Lynn party can be named for the first time.
Luke Tipene Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Vincent Angene Skeen appeared in the High Court at Auckland this morning, at which Justice Lang set a trial date in August next year.
The 17-year-old had been granted name suppression but today his lawyer, Lorraine Smith said, she could not argue for that to continue.
He is charged with the murder earlier this month of Luke Tipene, who played for the Kiwis under-16 side.
Members of Luke's family wept in the public gallery during the hearing and outside court his uncle, Sean Wilson, told Radio New Zealand members of his kapa haka group and rugby league team mates had paid tribute to the teenager.
"The family, the kapa haka and certainly his career in rugby league, although short, he was an individual that was going places and it's just tragic today that we're here going through this," Mr Wilson said.
Luke was a leader and a role model, he said.