Millie Elder-Holmes was among hundreds of friends and family who turned out to pay tribute to Connor Morris in Auckland today.
Millie Elder-Holmes marks anniversary of Connor Morris’ death.
Security at the High Court in Auckland will be beefed up when the man accused of murdering Head Hunters gang associate Connor Morris goes on trial tomorrow.
Michael Thrift Murray, 34, has been charged with murder after he allegedly attacked the 26-year-old in West Auckland a year ago.
Morris was held by his partner of six years, Millie Elder-Holmes, as he lay dying.
Morris was associated with the Head Hunters gang and his father, Chris, was a senior member.
A judicial source, who did not want to be named, told the Herald on Sunday extra security guards from the Manukau District Court and Auckland District Court would be at the High Court during the three-week trial.
It is understood there will also be a visible police presence, inside and outside the courtroom.
Security screening, which rarely takes place at the High Court, will also be mandatory.
The same security measures were in place at Murray's previous appearances but there had not been any trouble inside or outside court on the days he appeared.
Police did not want to go into detail about the security arrangements but a spokeswoman said they would "work closely with Court and Corrections security to maintain the safety of anyone frequenting the High Court and immediate environs".
Chris Morris led the memorial for his son yesterday. Photo / Doug Sherring
"We undertake screening at the High Court in Auckland based on an assessment of risk and intelligence from our sector partners," a Ministry of Justice spokesman said.
Crown prosecutor David Johnstone did not expect any trouble during the trial.
He said at least 35 people were being called as witnesses in the Crown's case against Murray.
Morris' death heaped an extraordinary amount of attention on the gang and hundreds turned up to farewell him at its Ellerslie Fight Club 88 boxing gym headquarters for his funeral.
The gang headquarters was revisited yesterday by hundreds of friends and family during an emotionally-charged memorial.
A convoy of motorbikes travelled 30km from Swanson to Ellerslie, stopping at Massey - the site where Morris suffered his fatal injury - before ending in Marua Rd.
Once there, a plaque with Connor Morris' name on it was unveiled.
Speaking to the Herald on Sunday, Chris Morris said: "The day went well, it was a good turn-out. It's a good day, not a sad day. It's a celebration.
"The New Zealand public has been awesome. There's lots of nice people in this country without the prejudice."
The Head Hunters were thrust into the spotlight again on Tuesday after police raided several addresses associated with the gang across the North Island as part of Operation Sylvester.
Seven men and one woman were arrested and police expect to seize up to $4m in assets, including expensive cars, machinery and bank accounts. It is alleged the woman was a former security guard at the Serco-run Mt Eden Corrections Facility.
