Jury retires in drug dealer killing case

A jury has retired to consider its verdicts in the alleged murder of a 14-year-old South Auckland cannabis dealer.

Justice John Priestley told the jury at the High Court in Auckland today it was an important trial into the "pointless death of a 14-year-old".

Daniel Bobby Tumata, 25, and Nathan Tuiti Reo Mutunga Williams, 25 are jointly charged with murdering John Hapeta on August 12 last year.

Tumata, Williams, and a 17-year-old male who has name suppression, were also accused of assault with intent to rob.

Tumata changed his plea to guilty last Tuesday, and will be sentenced later.

Justice Priestley said the jury had heard a lot of disturbing evidence about youths smoking cannabis and keeping firearms.

They were sent out just before 1pm and are expected to consider their deliberations for the rest of the afternoon.

The Crown said John Hapeta died after two men armed with a gun and a hammer a birthday party at the family home in Weymouth, south of Auckland.

Dressed in black with bandanas covering their faces, they grabbed him and demanded drugs.

When he said he didn't have any he was hit on the back of the head with a hammer.

The Crown alleged he was killed because he failed to make payments on an airgun he bought from another boy, who wanted to be paid in cannabis.

Williams struck the fatal blow but Tumata was also liable for murder by actively assisting him, the Crown said.

- NZPA