Atiamuri murder trial continues

A police detective involved in the George Taiaroa investigation denied suggestions that she told the sister of the murder-accused that he had confessed to the homicide.

More details of the police investigation including CCTV footage of Winders in Stratford and Taumarunui on the day Taiaroa was killed, was revealed at the High Court in Rotorua on Wednesday.

Quinton Winders is accused of gunning down Taiaroa on Tram Rd, in Atiamuri, around 3.10pm on March 19, 2013.

The prosecution contends Winders shot Taiaroa after becoming enraged over a minor traffic accident at the works he was controlling.

Winders’ defence counsel contends he had no motive for the killing and it was a case of mistaken identity.

On the witness stand, Detective Claire Rogers read to the court from the notebook she used to document her visit with Winders’ sister, Miranda Dallow.

‘‘Miranda stated that she doesn’t even know if it is his Jeep. Miranda stated that her brother is a great guy, great with the kids and that she doesn’t believe it.’’

Rogers pointed out that there is no documentation to support the claim suggested by defence counsel Jonathon Temm.

Temm continued to probe Rogers, asking about her dealings with the Deer Stalkers Association in Taranaki. Stop-go murder trial continues

‘‘As a result of the inquiries you made, were you aware that the association sent out to all its members a questionnaire?’’ Temm asked.

The questionnaire asked members about their dealings with Winders; had they heard any rumours about him; and did they know if he owned any guns?

‘‘I don’t think I directed that. No,’’ Rogers replied.

Earlier Rogers told the court that she had obtained CCTV footage of Winders at the Stratford Caltex service station at 9.59am on the day Taiaroa was killed.

The court also learned that Winders picked up his jeep from the panel-beaters earlier that morning and further CCTV footage showed his jeep in Taumarunui at 1.30pm that day.

Earlier in the day, Detective Miriam Reddington confirmed in court that she and a colleague visited a Taupo man, who owned a darkcoloured Cherokee, as part of their inquiries.

Reddington was unaware if the man had gang connections to the Mongrel Mob.

Earlier in the trial, Temm contended that another man who worked on the same roading project had been targeted by the gang after exposing himself to a young girl and could have been the intended target.