Hunt goes on for gun supplier

By PATRICK GOWER

Another person could still be charged for the RSA triple murder despite the convictions of William Bell and Darnell Tupe.

Police never caught the supplier of the gun with which Bell bashed his victims or the police shirt he was wearing when he went to rob the RSA last December 8.

The gun and the shirt have not been recovered.

Detective Inspector Gavin Jones said that if the person who supplied the gun had some knowledge of what it was going to be used for, he or she could be categorised as a party to murder.

"If we had some credible and reliable evidence [about the shirt and gun], we would certainly look at using that to charge someone else with murder," Mr Jones said.

"[But] I think it is important to know that we have already given it a good thrashing because it has not escaped me that someone is potentially liable for murder."

Tupe, who thought he was the getaway driver in an armed robbery, was also charged with murder under the parties category.

Mr Jones said there was "speculation" about who supplied the gun, but no hard evidence.

Bell said he acquired the gun and shirt from his cousin, Jack Oti, the night before the murders.

But Mr Jones said, "We've spoken to him.

"We've spoken to him at length and on more than one occasion. He's denied it, and he has denied it on oath."

An internal inquiry "covering every possible avenue" failed to find the source of the police shirt Bell used in the robbery.

"Dare I say it, even police officers have to do their washing and hang their shirts up on the line and you don't have to be too smart to rip one off."

The Herald has been told that the shirt may have been used by associates of Bell in other crimes, such as trying to "confiscate" vehicles off Asian drivers on Queen St at night.

Mr Oti denied any involvement with either the shirt or gun when visited at his Manurewa home by the Herald.

He admitted being arrested by the police armed offenders squad and questioned about the murders before being released.

"I just want to put it all behind me now."