Robert Nelson, 23, with his partner Kahlee Marfell. Marfell is recovering in Waikato Hospital after a shooting which killed Nelson.
Robert Nelson, 23, with his partner Kahlee Marfell. Marfell is recovering in Waikato Hospital after a shooting which killed Nelson.
The niece of a man whose daughter was gunned down inside her Hamilton home, leaving her boyfriend dead, has defended her Mongrel Mob relative.
Nadine Lovini says she is sick of reading judgmental comments about her family because they are connected to the Mongrel Mob.
Kahlee Marfell is in a stable condition in Waikato Hospital and recovering from surgery required after the shooting in the early hours of Sunday morning which claimed the life of 23-year-old Robert Nelson, who died shielding her from bullets in the bedroom of her house in Matthews Cres, Melville.
Marfell and a 17-year-old man were both seriously injured in the incident.
Meanwhile, Nelson's sister, Erin, has confirmed her brother will be farewelled in the city on Saturday.
Speaking out in frustration on Facebook, Griffiths' niece Lovini said her uncle was "a good man, one of the best".
"He has helped raise me as my father figure and I have always been able to count on him to be there for me with whatever is needed!" she wrote. "I can guarantee a text from him everyday wishing me a good day. I can guarantee when I forget lunch at work, he's there at 12:30 waiting in the car park with food!
Long read BUT I have been reading a lot in the papers and all the judgmental comments that come with those articles. All...
Forensic staff map out the scene at this Matthews Cres, Hamilton, home on Sunday afternoon after Robert Nelson was shot dead. Photo/File.
"No one knows half of the good deeds he does within our community. And that goes along with his brothers within the Mongrel Mob too!
"Yes, he is a gang member. Yes, he wears a patch. But there is so much more to him than that people put aside because of his label."
She said the shooting had shocked their family, but said neither her uncle nor the Mongrel Mob were to blame.
"Lets all bare [sic] in mind that he was at home. My cousins were at home. And no matter what your status is, everyone should be safe in their own homes! He is not ONLY a gang member, he is much much more than that!"
Erin Nelson has confirmed her brother's funeral will be held at Newstead Chapel at Hamilton Cemetery at 1pm on Saturday.
The wake will be held from 3pm at Stormforce Gym in Frankton, where her brother was a member.
Also as promised here is the service announcement,
The service will take place at the Newstead Chapel at Hamilton...
