One of the four people on trial accused of a unleashing a violent terror attack against a Te Puna family and their associates, has walked free from the court after his charges were withdrawn.
In Tauranga District Court today, the Crown amended the indictment for two of the four accused, and Judge Christopher Harding discharged Rihari Jarrod Borell in relation to three charges.
That is, two counts of assault with a weapon and one of wounding with intent to injure, after the Crown accepted there was insufficient evidence for the charges to continue.
His sister Jasmine Hira Borrell, 26, also of Welcome Bay, pleaded guilty to two counts of assault in relation to two of the three adult complainants.
She was discharged on one count each of assault with intent to injure and possession of an offensive weapon also because the Crown accepted there was insufficiency of evidence.
She was remanded on bail pending sentencing onOctober 14.
The trial continues for Jack Simon Ake, 53, of Te Puna who has denied one count each of wounding with intent to injure and assault with a weapon, namely a spade.
Derek Michael Drewry, 28, of Judea is also on trial defending one count of common assault.
Crown solicitor Greg Hollister-Jones earlier told the jury the accused had unleashed "a short campaign of violent terror" against the three complainants, which was meted out at Te Puna Rd address on November 23,2012.
That included the alleged use of spade against the complainant Andrew Duncan, who was hit in the face and body, left bloodied and bruised, requiring hospital treatment for his wounds.
The defence will open its case this morning.
The trial is expected to conclude tomorrow.