Witness jailed for silence

A witness in the Michael Heremaia murder trial has been jailed for 2 months for refusing to give evidence.

Justice Mark Cooper told William Tuipulotu it was the duty of all decent citizens to give relevant information in a court of law and his refusal to answer questions was a serious contempt.

Tuipulotu was called by the Crown to testify against two fellow King Cobra gang members accused in the killing of 15-year-old Michael Heremaia in a tinnie house in Mangere in November last year.

The youth, who was selling drugs for the gang, was stabbed more than 30 times after what the Crown said was internal gang friction over the way the tinnie house was being run.

Benjamin Red Tumahai has already pleaded guilty to the youth's murder and wounding another man, Michael George Brown Afeaki, with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Before the High Court at Auckland are James Michael Leuluaialii, 26, of Orakei and 23-year-old Ofisa Andrew Kopelani of Mangere, who are accused of being involved in the murder.

They are also charged with the attempted murder of Mr Afeaki or alternatively wounding him with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

Tuipulotu, 26, a painter, was detained overnight when he refused to give evidence on Wednesday.

Despite being warned of possible consequences, he again declined to answer questions yesterday.

Prosecutor Mike Heron was sceptical about Tuipulotu's claim that he feared gang reprisal.