Man denies murdering Mongrel Mob member Hori Gage
A man accused of killing a young father in front of his children has denied murdering the Mongrel Mob member.
Roydon Herewini appeared in the High Court at Palmerston North yesterday via audiovisual link from prison. His defence lawyer Scott Jefferson said that a not guilty plea to a charge of murder was to be entered.
The issue of name suppression was also canvassed but Jefferson confirmed his client would not be pursuing that. “No applications are being made today, sir.”
Justice Dale La Hood thanked members of Hori Gage’s whānau for coming to court before setting further hearing dates for the accused.
A trial date was set for 2025 and Herewini was remanded in custody until then, pending any bail applications made to the court.
Gage, 27, died in August after he was shot on his driveway in Croydon Ave.
He had just returned home from a day out with his family.
Police said Gage was targeted after a brawl at Palmerston North bar, Castle 789, between the Black Power and Mongrel Mob.
They believed Gage was not involved in that fight, and only targeted for being in a rival gang.
Several others were also facing charges in relation to his death, including another man charged with his murder, one with manslaughter and three others with arson.
A second Palmerston North homicide case was also called in the High Court yesterday.
A man, who has interim name suppression, appeared on a murder charge relating to the death of Damon O’Rourke. He appeared via audiovisual link, and his lawyer Jacinda Younger said they were not yet in a position to enter a plea.
Justice La Hood remanded him in custody until an appearance in June.
O’Rourke was found on Coromandel Court on January 20 with gunshot wounds. He was taken to Palmerston North Hospital, where he later died.
Tre McLean, 21, and Jaedyn Lovejoy, 19, were also charged with his murder and lost name suppression when they appeared in the High Court last month.
During that court hearing, extra police and security staff were deployed to ease any tensions between the accused and O’Rourke’s whānau. The pair did not enter any pleas and were remanded in custody.