Stop-go case: Hooves and bullet grooves
Angry hooves and bullet grooves were on the agenda as the trial of Quinton Winders, the man accused of the 2013 stop-go murder of George Taiaroa, entered it’s twelfth day at Rotorua High Court.
Police Sergeant Terry Garnett gave evidence about the search of Winders’ parents Bay of Plenty property in Mamaku, on April 4-5 of 2013, revealing the search of paddocks was hindered by stags in roar.
He said police had to return in greater numbers for a second search.
‘‘The roar was coming to an end and the stock seemed a little less angry,’’ he said.
Under questioning from Winders lawyer, Jonathan Temm, Garnett revealed they had been given a key to the property by Winders’ mother Janet and a warning.
‘‘She told you that Max [Winders’ father] was quite deaf and not to frighten him,’’ Temm said.
He then revealed that Armed Offenders Squad members made the first entry onto the property, describing black helmets, balaclavas and machine guns.
‘‘And they were the people sent to secure the property, even though you had a key to the front gate,’’ he said.
The court also heard evidence, read by the court registrar, from firearms licensing office Raymond Whittaker about his dealings with Quinton Winders, who he visited at his Stratford property.
‘‘A very pleasant person and considered suitable,’’ was Whittaker’s view of Winders’.
‘‘He gave me no vibes or feelings of being untoward in any way. . . a solid sort of bugger. He didn’t give me any reason for concern and seemed to handle firearms in the appropriate manner.’’
The court also heard detailed scientific evidence from forensic pathologist Dr Simon Stables and ESR forensic scientist Kevan Walsh.
Stables explained to the jury about soot residue and tattooing - the name for the skin marking left by a bullet propellent - and said neither were present on Taiaroa.
‘‘No sooting, no black ring around the entry wound, absolutely means the gun has not touched the skin,’’ he said. ‘‘This is a distance wound.’’ Stables said that while many variables existed, a distance wound was typically classed as being from more than a metre away.
Walsh was questioned at length about three bullet fragments removed from Taiaroa, and said that while he was unable to ascertain the bullet’s brand, "I’m confident it’s a .22 long rifle."
He also said that after microscopic analysis of the fragments he was able to conclude eight grooves would have been left in the bullet, caused from markings in the gun barrell, however as no firearm has been recovered "in this case there was no rifle that was able to be compared."
He also revealed that forensic tests on Winders’ Jeep Cherokee failed to uncover any blood, tissue samples or gun shot residue.
Winders has always maintained his innocence over the killing which shocked the nation.
The Crown case has alleged a minor traffic accident was the catalyst for the murder, which Winders’ blamed Taiaroa for.
The defence, however, claims no motive exists for Winders’ to kill Taiaroa and introduced the idea the killing could have been a Mongrel Mob hit gone wrong after revealing Taiaroa’s fellow stop-go worker was convicted for exposing himself to as young girl with Mob relations.
The trial is set to hear from more than 100 witnesses and is scheduled to last one month in total.