Killing accused held his rifle like a soldier, jurors told

A man accused of shooting a neighbour and injuring his son as the family tried to hide in a small bedroom walked through the house carrying his semi-automatic hunting rifle like a soldier, the High Court at Napier was told yesterday.

The second trial of Wilson Neil Apatu, 44, started yesterday after the first was abandoned last week when two jurors did their own research into it.

Apatu has pleaded not guilty to murdering Layden Rameka, 35, at Waikoau, a small rural settlement 40km north of Napier on August 30 last year.

He has also denied the attempted murder of Mr Apatu's son, Zepplen, 8, and breaking and entering with intent to commit murder.

Opening the Crown case, prosecutor Jo Rielly said the Ramekas were shot at close range when Apatu confronted them as they tried to barricade themselves in a bedroom.

She said in the days before the shooting, Apatu had become frustrated with the activities of two of Mr Rameka's six children, Zepplen and Claydon, 13, and on the day of the murder had gone to see Mr Rameka to talk to him about the boys.

The conversation "quickly soured" and ended with a fight which left Apatu on the ground being kicked and punched by Mr Rameka. The two boys had jeered and teased him after the incident.

Apatu spoke to two other residents shortly after and told one he "felt like pumping Layden full of lead", the court heard.

He allegedly told another that the deceased had given him a hiding and that the (Mongrel) Mob was coming to "hit Layden's place".

Mr Rameka was sitting in a van outside the house when Apatu drove up, dressed in hunting gear and carrying his SKS 7.62 semi-automatic rifle.

Mr Rameka, his partner, Janine West, their baby, Zepplen, Claydon and another woman in the house ran into a bedroom.

After smashing the ranchslider, Apatu held his rifle like a soldier as he walked through the house looking for Mr Rameka, Ms Rielly said.

Apatu aimed the weapon at Mr Rameka as he tried to shield his family, then fired three quick shots, followed by a fourth.

Three of the shots struck Mr Rameka and a part of one projectile passed through his body and struck Zepplen on the arm.

Defence lawyer Russell Fairbrother said Apatu accepted responsibility for the death but maintained the discharge of the rifle was accidental.

- NZPA