A jury trial in which the acting national commander of the Comancheros is accused of having conspired with Rebels gang members to distribute methamphetamine has been temporarily derailed by Covid-19.
The eight-week, 14-defendant trial was initially scheduled to begin at the start of this week but was postponed the first time after 10 defendants pleaded guilty at the last minute to various charges.
A jury was selected on Monday in the High Court at Auckland for the four remaining defendants, including high-ranking Comanchero gang member Seiana Fakaosilea. The group returned to the courtroom today expecting prosecutors Robin McCoubrey and Ben Kirkpatrick to open the Crown case and begin calling witnesses.
However, Justice Neil Campbell sent jurors home soon after their arrival, explaining that one of the defence lawyers tested positive for Covid-19 this morning.
"We are unable to start the trial this morning without him being physically present," he explained.
