Steve Braunias reports on a murder trial of a man killed in an alleged hit and run
“Get back in the car,” said Marie Taateo to her partner Petunu Talitumu (“Everyone knew him as Tim”) when he got out of their white Mazda in the Glenmall carpark in Glen Eden just after midday on November 23, 2022. A black Holden had pulled in front of them. Marie was driving the Mazda. She honked the horn, loud. She told the High Court of Auckland this afternoon the driver of the Holden, Brayden Towler, stuck his head out of his car window and yelled at her: “F*** up, or I’ll put a bullet through you.”
Road rage on a Wednesday two years ago in West Auckland. “Not guilty,” said Towler, and shook his head, when the charge of murder was read out on the opening day of his trial. The Crown alleges it was a hit and run. Towler admits he killed Talitumu. His lawyer, Adam Couchman, told the jury it was not intentional, that it was too late to stop when his Holden hit and killed Talitumu in Glen Eden, cause of death blunt force head injury.
“Get back in the car,” Marie said to Tim again. He had climbed onto the running board on the passenger side of the Mazda and held onto the railings on the roof. They followed the Holden out of the carpark. She said Tim was smiling.
They had left their Kelston home that morning to have a late breakfast. They stopped for a hot koko drink and a panikeke, then drove to Glenmall to order from their favourite bakery opposite a $2 shop. CCTV was played in courtroom 7 of the Holden pulling out in front of the Mazda, and Talitumu climbing onto the running board. Towler drove away, and Talitumu stepped off the Mazda. He stood on the pedestrian crossing.