The Hungarian tourist accused of killing of gay Onehunga man Ron Brown last December will face trial next year at Auckland's High Court, beginning with a pre-trial hearing on 16 February, said court staff today.

Ron Brown

Ferdinand Ambach pleaded not guilty to charges of murder, intentional damage, and assault on Brown at his depositions hearing back in July, but lawyers for the prosecution and defense have agreed that there is a prima facie case to answer and the case will therefore go to trial.

Alerted by neighbours who heard screaming and shattering glass, police found Ambach upstairs in Brown's Onehunga home in the early hours of Saturday 8 December 2007. Brown was badly injured and slumped unconscious downstairs. His home had been trashed and household effects including a bed had been thrown through upstairs windows.

Ambach remains in police custody until his trial.