The brutal murder of a man in his own home showed how “destructive” involvement with the Mongrel Mob could be, a High Court judge said as he jailed two men.
During the trial, which lasted two weeks, the jury heard how the assault was the result of a violent feud between Ross and his neighbour, Kim Fisher. The feud had been going for months at the time and Marsh, who was a close friend of Fisher, was angry about the verbal and physical abuse Fisher had to endure.
JOHN KIRK-ANDERSON/STUFF
Police at the scene of a fatal stabbing at social housing flats in Riccarton, Christchurch on March 4, 2020. (Video first published in March 2020) Marsh asked his cousin and senior Mongrel Mob member Raihania ‘Ra’ King for help, and was introduced to Wealleans, who lived in a sleepout on King’s property. Marsh and Wealleans went to Ross’ home, where they assaulted him using a knife and a hammer.
Both pleaded not guilty. To be found guilty of murder, the Crown needed to prove the pair either intended to kill Ross or were reckless as to whether their actions could cause his death. The jury heard the assault was the culmination of a nasty feud between Ross and his neighbour, Kim Fisher. They’d had “a bit of a fling” in the past, but developed an intense dislike for each other after their brief relationship ended. A friend of Ross who lived in the same block, Stuart Parker, took part in verbally abusing Fisher, and she frequently retaliated. Marsh was a close friend of Fisher and often witnessed her clashes with Ross and Parker. At some point, Marsh’s car was scratched and derogatory words were written in dust. Marsh was convinced Ross and Parker were responsible.
According to Zarifeh, after the brief relationship between Ross and Fisher came to an end, the pair did not get on well at all. They developed an intense dislike for one another and this resulted in heated and bitter arguments between. During at least two of these arguments, the police had to be called. A friend of Ross who also lived in the same apartment block, Stuart Parker, took part in verbally abusing Fisher, and she frequently retaliated. Marsh was a good friend of Fisher and often visited her at the housing complex. He often witnessed the fights between her and Ross and Parker.
Brutal murder: Mongrel Mob connection revealed in death of man in own home Wed, 7 Jul 2021, 1:18PM
Juan Marsh (L) and Curtis Wealleans (R) are on trial for murdering Brendon Alexander Ross in March 2020. (Photo / George Heard)
Brutal murder: Mongrel Mob connection revealed in death of man in own home Wed, 7 Jul 2021, 1:18PM
Details have finally emerged about a brutal alleged gang-related murder at a Christchurch community housing where a man was attacked with a hammer and repeatedly stabbed before his carotid artery was cut.
And it can now be revealed - after suppression around the facts of the case lapsed - that the cousin of a senior Mongrel Mob gang member and a young man living at the patched member s home - are allegedly behind the violent crime.