Trial begins over Queenstown kidnapping

Pita Wilson (left) and Mark Taylor. Photo: Otago Daily Times

After 18 months of legal wrangling, the trial has begun of two men and a woman in relation to an alleged kidnapping in Queenstown in 2014.

The trial began this morning at the Invercargill District Court before Judge Brian Callaghan and a jury of six men and six women.

Pita William Wilson (39), stonemason, of Glenorchy, and Mark Junior Taylor (19), of Bluff, are jointly charged with kidnapping Joseph Armstrong, Andrew Lee and Casey Johnston between November 25 and 26 of 2014, in Queenstown.

Wilson and Taylor are also jointly charged with injuring Mr Armstrong with intent to injure.

Wilson is further charged with supplying class A-controlled methamphetamine to Armstrong, Lee and Johnston between November 25 and November 26, 2014, in Queenstown.

The third accused, Amanda Jane Nicolls (45), manager, of Frankton, denies attempting to assist Wilson in order for him to avoid arrest knowing he had committed the crime of kidnapping, on December 3 at Queenstown.

Mary-Jane Thomas is appearing for the Crown

Up to 14 witnesses are expected to be called during the trial, of which seven are for the Crown.

The trial is expected to continue until next week.