Murder accused, brazen, bold, court told

The body of Nicholas Pike, pictured, has never been found. Photo / Supplied

A fugitive from the law showed exceptionally violent, confident and calculating behaviour before he murdered his lackey and hid his body, the Crown told a High Court jury today.

Lawlessness has pervaded the case of Stephen Hudson, but the accused killer had a "special intensity" to his criminality, Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk said.

The four-week-long case was reaching its conclusion in the High Court at Wellington today, with the jury hearing accounts from about 70 witnesses, including players in New Zealand's provincial drug trade and convicted murderers.

Hudson, 39, stood accused of the March 2002 murder of his helper and drug-dealing associate, Nicholas Pike. The body of Mr Pike, 22 at the time, has not yet been found.

Mr Vanderkolk cited evidence given by other witnesses - a hammer attack on one of his ex-girlfriend's new lovers, a knife attack on another, casual death threats, possession of stolen firearms and drug-dealing to support the crown's case Hudson killed the younger man.

"The accused stands apart because he is capable of grievous violence," he said.

The prosecutor reminded the court of an armed offenders' squad raid on the safehouse where Hudson was staying while on the run - which he responded to mid-raid by ringing police, introducing himself, and demanding "what are you f*cking pigs doing at my house?"

"He is brazen. He is bold. He manages to evade capture," Mr Vanderkolk said.

The alibi the accused gave "hopelessly falls over" on closer inspection, disproven by conflicting dates and evidence from other sources, he said.

The defence for Hudson would give his summary of the trial this afternoon, before Justice Ronald Young gave his directions to the jury and gave them leave to retire to consider their verdict.

- NZPA