Pair to face murder trial

Two men accused of murdering Stanley Victor Wells each punched him in the head the night before he died, the Whangarei Youth Court has been told.

Eruera Griffin Shortland, 20, of Otangarei, and a 16-year-old youth, who has name suppression, have been jointly charged with Mr Wells' murder. They have both pleaded not guilty.

They appeared in the Youth Court for the conclusion of a two-day depositions hearing. Both were committed to stand trial.

A witness, who has name suppression, said she was standing across the road when she saw the 16-year-old approach Mr Wells on Matai St late on December 2.

The youth asked Mr Wells his name but before he could answer the youth punched Mr Wells in the face. He fell over backwards and lay motionless on the ground, the witness said.

Shortland, who was standing beside his co-accused, then went through Mr Wells' pockets as he lay on the ground.

The witness did not see him remove anything from the pockets.

Shortland then lifted up Mr Wells so he was standing and punched him in the face, the witness said.

Mr Wells fell to the ground a second time and was "knocked out".

He died in Whangarei Hospital the next day from head injuries.

The alleged offenders, who were in a group of four, ran down the street after the attack, with one saying "don't tell, you bitches" to the witness and her friends as they ran past, she said.
Questioned by Crown prosecutor Peter Magee, the witness said she later heard someone in the four-strong group talking about "OTG", or the Otangarei Gangsters.

- NORTHERN ADVOCATE