Man acquitted over drive-by shooting

A Greymouth District Court jury yesterday took less than two hours to acquit a man of a drive-by shooting at his ex-girlfriend's house.

Taite Paul Heremia had been charged with unlawful possession of a firearm and discharging a firearm with reckless disregard for the safety of others.

The charges stemmed from an incident on August 15, 2002, where shots were fired through the bedroom window of a home in Runanga, 10km north of Greymouth.

Crown prosecutor Stuart Poore alleged that Heremia shot at his ex-girlfriend's house after she ended their relationship.

But defence counsel Richard Bodle said it was another man, Craig Brand who had carried out the shooting.

Mr Brand testified that Heremia was the shooter.

Mr Bodle said Mr Brand had a history of taking revenge on people and had changed his statement to police several times before telling them Heremia had been the shooter.

Judge Murray Abbott told the jury if they found Heremia guilty or not guilty of one of the charges then they must find the same for the other.

The fact that Heremia had not elected to give evidence did not indicate his guilt or innocence.

- NZPA