Two teenage boys charged with murder in relation to the death of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen, in February pleaded not guilty on August 7, during arraignment at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Sitiveni 'Esi Muli (17) and Sami Kaho Jr (15) are charged with murder and other counts had pleaded not guilty to all represented by Sifa Tu'utafaiva.

Sitiveni pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mr Feng Sheng Pei on February 25 at Matafonua. He and Sami are accused of the murder, by assaulting him on the head with a machete and stabbing him on the neck with a scissors and other parts of his body.

He also pleaded not guilty to the murder of Mrs Su Jie Wen when he assaulted her on the head with the machete, stabbed her on the neck with scissors as well as other parts of her body.

Sami also pleaded not guilty to the murder counts with his co-accused.

In addition, both pleaded not guilty to alternative counts that included manslaughter and other additional counts of armed robbery and serious arson.

The court heard that the accused were armed with the machete and scissors took the couple's vehicle, which they set on fire. 

Today the couple's son and a few members of the local Chinese community where present in court.

Escaped prisoners

Police had reported that the couple, who were both in their 50s, were found dead with stab wounds to their heads and necks at Matafonua bush allotment in Lakepa.

It was also later revealed that both of the accused were escaped prisoners who fled custody at the Nukunuku Police Station, before being arrested on March 1.

The Chinese couple who lived in Tongatapu had sold vegetables at Talamahu market and were known for being friendly.