A 28-year-old woman 'Ilaisaane Kaho pleaded not guilty this morning to the murder of a 39-year-old woman at Mataki'eua, Tongatapu in April this year.

Appearing in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court, the accused of Mataki'eua, pleaded not guilty to the first charge of murder; and pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter.

She is alleged to have stabbed Lesieli 'Okusi on her chest with a knife causing her death on April 18.

A Pre Trial Conference is set for October 7 to determine whether the Crown Prosecution accepts her plea. Meanwhile, Sifa Tu'utafaiva the counsel for the accused elected for a jury trial, expected to run for one week at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.

Chief Justice Anthony Ford presided with 'Aminiasi Kefu the Solicitor General as Crown Prosecutor.