By Tony Wall
Police suspect a well-known figure in the criminal underworld murdered Maramarua publican Chris Bush 12 years, ago but they say they are no closer to making an arrest.
A small team of police is reinvestigating the case, the second time it has been reviewed since 1996.
It is understood a gang member who is a suspect in at least one other murder is considered the prime suspect. Two police officers told the Herald they feel certain the man was involved.
He is suspected of pulling the trigger after he and an accomplice burst into the Red Fox Tavern in October 1987. Mr Bush, who was sitting having after-work drinks with friends, began to get up but was shot dead before he could even open his mouth. The suspect has a string of previous convictions, including robbery.
The officer in charge, Detective Senior Sergeant Peter Mitford-Burgess, said he was continuing to look at the case but was still "a million miles away" from laying a charge.
The murder was also reinvestigated in 1996 after a secret witness claimed he knew who killed Mr Bush.
Mr Bush's widow, Gay Bush, said yesterday that she had known for several years that the gang member was the main suspect. "But there's absolutely no evidence, it's only hearsay ... nothing concrete at all."
She would rather see the whole thing left than someone serve the paltry prison term that seemed to be the norm.
'Certainty' but no arrest over murder
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