Jury retires in Black Power murder case

Almost two years to the day since Black Power associate Henry Waihape was shot dead, a High Court jury in Wellington has retired to consider whether he was murdered by members of the rival Mongrel Mob.

Kenneth Andre Te Kahu, 33, of Wairoa, and Jeremy Kevin Wilfred Hatley, 25, of Napier, have pleaded not guilty to murder and conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Wairoa Mongrel Mob president Rangi Wainohu Tamati, 44, was dismissed of the charge of murder on Monday because of a lack of evidence but has pleaded guilty to conspiracy.

Mr Waihape, 29, died on November 27, 2003 after being shot in the chest as he travelled in a Black Power convoy from Wairoa to their Frasertown headquarters, 8km north.

The crown alleges the shooting was retribution for a massive brawl outside the Wairoa courthouse earlier that day.

The jury of three women and nine men retired at 2pm to consider their verdicts.

- NZPA