Mongrel Mob president Jeremiah Su a gives evidence during murder trial stuff.co.nz - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from stuff.co.nz Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
They deny murdering Wilkinson, kidnapping him and his friend Kyle Rowe, wounding Rowe with intent to cause grievous bodily harm and participating in an organised criminal group. The Crown says Rowe and Wilkinson were attacked by fellow Mongrel Mob members because they robbed a Bunnythorpe drug dealer without permission and failed to share the proceeds. Thompson was the last witness in the Crown case, which opened in February. He spent his time in the witness box being grilled on various aspects of the case, including how evidence was disclosed to lawyers. A common theme arising from all defence lawyers was the evidence of Krystal Hewitt, who was regularly called one of the most important parts of the Crown case.
Senior Mobsters then assaulted the two while kicking them out of the Mob, the Crown says. Jeremiah Su’a has been described by multiple witnesses as the president of a Mongrel Mob chapter, with some saying the chapter was of Mongrel Mob Aotearoa or Mongrel Mob Manawatū. It was something he reaffirmed when giving statements to police in October 2019, including during a video interview after his arrest which went for about six hours. The full video was played in court on Thursday. Jeremiah Su’a said there were changes while he was in prison – he was on parole at the time of Wilkinson’s death – especially in the attitude of some Mobsters.
Senior Mobsters then assaulted the two while kicking them out of the gang, the Crown says. Jeremiah Su’a has been described by multiple witnesses as the president of a Mongrel Mob chapter, with some saying the chapter was Mongrel Mob Aotearoa or Mongrel Mob Manawatū. It was something he reaffirmed when giving statements to police in October 2019, including after his arrest during a video interview that went for about six hours. The full video was played in court on Thursday. Jeremiah Su’a was on parole at the time of Wilkinson’s death. He said there had been changes while he was in prison, especially in the attitude of some Mobsters.
Detective Sergeant Shelley Ross was second-in-charge of the investigation into Wilkinson’s death, dubbed Operation Kentucky. She told the trial Wilkinson’s disappearance was initially a missing person inquiry, but work began setting up a homicide investigation on September 23, 2019. That involved getting Wilkinson’s bank records, which showed he usually withdrew his benefit money as soon as it was paid into his account. However, he did not withdraw it when it was paid on September 11 and 18, 2019 – something Ross said raised suspicions.
Murray Wilson/Stuff Ross was asked about her involvement in giving immunity to Krystal Hewitt. She was involved in parts of the robbery, including dividing the proceeds and hiding a firearm used during the crime.