The sequel to an armed confrontation between Black Power and Mongrel Mob members during which seven Whakatane police offices were shot at is now in the hands of a jury.
On trial in the High Court at Rotorua are Benjamin Biddle, Stallone Harawira, Whitu Taipeti, Codie Taitapuni, Te Reneti Tarau and Taumata Tawhai.
With the exception of Taipeti, all are facing charges of rioting and participating in an organised criminal group.
All defendants face charges of unlawful possessing a firearm, using a rifle or shot gun against law enforcement officers and discharging a firearm at Mongrel Mob members.
Each denied the charges levelled against them when the trial began this afternoon. After the jury panel of seven women and five men was sworn in Justice Graham Lang told them the trial followed a series of incidents between Black Power and Mongrel Mob members in Whakatane on January 17 last year.