The trial of two teenage boys charged with murder in relation to the death of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen is set to run from January 7-18, 2019.

Sitiveni 'Esi Muli (17) and Sami Kaho Jr (15) appeared before Hon Mr Justice Cato today to fix the trial dates at the Supreme Court.

A pre-trial conference is scheduled for December 13 this year.

The two accused had first appeared in court on August 7 and pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Sitiveni had 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 the victim on the head with a machete and stabbing him on the neck with scissors, and stabbing 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, the court heard that the accused armed with the machete and scissors took the couple's vehicle, which they set on fire. 

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 had fled custody at the Nukunuku Police Station, before being arrested on March 1.

The friendly Chinese couple who lived in Tongatapu had sold vegetables at Talamahu Market.