Murder jury sent home while counsel discuss in chambers

Tue, 01 Dec 2009 2:34p.m.

A jury listening to evidence about the murder of a 14-year-old South Auckland cannabis dealer has been sent home for the rest of the day while counsel have legal discussions in chambers.

Senior Sergeant Ian McGill gave evidence today at the High Court in Auckland in the trial of Daniel Bobby Tumata, 25, and Nathan Tuiti Reo Mutunga Williams, 25.

They are jointly charged with murdering John Hapeta on August 12 last year.

Tumata, Williams and a 17-year-old male, who has name suppression, are also accused of assault with intent to rob.

Tumata changed his plea to guilty last Tuesday, and will be sentenced later.

Mr McGill played the 111 call - made by Tumata on August 13 at 1.15pm - to the jury today,

"I know the person that done that thing down Weymouth Road," he told the police operator.

"His name is Nathan," he said.

Tumata said he did not know Nathan's last name, but he told police where he lived.

The Crown says Mr Hapeta died after two men armed with a gun and a hammer gatecrashed a birthday party at the family home in Weymouth, south of Auckland.

Dressed in black with bandanas covering their faces, they grabbed him and demanded drugs.

When he said he didn't have any he was hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

The Crown alleges he was killed because he failed to make payments on an airgun bought from another boy, who wanted to be paid in cannabis.

Williams struck the fatal blow but Tumata was also liable for murder by actively assisting him, the Crown said.

The trial will resume again tomorrow morning.

NZPA

Become a fan of 3 News on Facebook and on Twitter.