Male youth walks free from court

A youth who was accused of murdering a high-profile gang leader has walked free from court, after the charge against him was thrown out.

He was one of five people on trial in the High Court at Whanganui over the death of Craig Rippon.

The charge against the youth was dropped on Friday because police did not follow guidelines for dealing with young people when they interviewed him.

Because of that, Justice Jillian Mallon ruled it could not be part of the trial evidence.

For people the youth’s age, the Crown must prove beyond reasonable doubt the boy understands the offence was wrong and against the law. It was not enough to prove they took part.

Mallon said there was not enough evidence to prove the youth’s understanding, so the charges against him were dropped.

‘‘The trial is over for you,’’ she told him.

Rippon, the founder of Black Power Whanganui, died after being violently attacked at his home in the city, on November 8, 2015.

The dismissal of charges against the youth came a day after Matthew Thomas Madams and another youth, whose name and age are suppressed, pleaded guilty to Rippon’s manslaughter.

Also on Friday, the defence for the remaining pair, Tyrone Peter Madams and Kevin Roy Madams, who are both charged with murder, opened its case, arguing neither took part in the attack on Rippon.

The trial had previously heard the group went to Rippon’s house after he helped track down a puppy, which the youths found and were taking care of.

A confrontation ended with Tyrone Peter Madams suffering a cut to his face, so the group went around again. Rippon was assaulted on this occasion.

After the defence opening, Kevin Madams gave evidence.

He said Tyrone Peter Madams was already slightly drunk when he saw him not long after Rippon took the puppy.

‘‘He was pissed off about it, but not that much.’’

After a few drinks they decided to take the two youths to Rippon’s house to talk it over.

‘‘We were going to go around to have a chat with him about the dog ... but that never eventuated.’’

Kevin Madams said before they got talking, one of the youths confronted Rippon, demanding the puppy or a share of the reward they believed Rippon received for returning the dog.

The ensuing short fight left Tyrone Peter Madams knocked out, with a large cut above his eye.

‘‘It looked like his eye was hanging out, there was blood everywhere.’’

The group left, but returned to the house after picking up Tyrone William Madams, who has previously admitted a murder charge.

Kevin Madams said that was when Tyrone William Madams and the two youths fatally assaulted Rippon.

He said he didn’t leave the group as the others were to angry to be left alone.

The trial continues.