An Auckland High Court courtroom was shut down today after a clash between supporters of the murder accused and his victim. Photo / Isaac Davison
An Auckland High Court judge locked down his courtroom this morning after a fracas between supporters of a murder accused and his victim.
Sione Tupou had entered the dock charged with murdering Rebels MC member Texas Doctor.
Justice Mathew Downs said it was “tolerably clear” everyone at the back of the court had been “spoiling for a fight”.
“There was going to be violence between the two opposing groups.”
The callover hearing, which began with other cases, had got off to a rough start before the eruption in the public gallery.
“Your supporters and those of the deceased were already in the rear of the court, many, if not most of them refused to stand when I entered the court,” Justice Downs said to defendant Sione Tupou.
“The mood was one of restlessness and agitation.”
This morning’s hearing restarted after the judge left the room and re-entered, with all members of the public gallery standing.
Later, when Tupou’s case was called, people began yelling slurs and saying: “Shut the f*** up”.
The judge said a woman yelled something to which members of the other group took exception.
A large man stood up and walked toward the other group, who the judge said “apprehended he was intent on violence”.
Justice Downs closed the court and more than 20 people left, some throwing gang signs and verbal slurs as they departed.
He said it was clear security would not have been able to stop the violence without injury.
The judge thanked the security staff who assisted with the incident.
In closed court, Justice Downs said media could report on his remarks about the incident and he would be sending his comments to the Chief Justice.
After the interruption, Tupou pleaded guilty to murder and possession of an unlawful firearm.
According to the agreed summary of facts, between July 2022 and July 2023 police had attended five “significant” violence incidents between the families of Tupou and his victim, Texas Doctor, 22.
“Several of these involved firearms being discharged at addresses of the Tupou family.”
About 10.35pm on July 13 last year, Tupou and two associates went to a Super Liquor store in Mt Wellington and purchased a few boxes of beer.
After the boxes had been placed in the car, Doctor arrived at the carpark and was one park away from the vehicle Tupou was in.
Doctor got out of his vehicle and began to walk past the group’s car towards the store, nodding in acknowledgment as he passed.
When Tupou saw Doctor, he opened the rear passenger door. As he was doing so, Doctor turned around and returned to his driver’s seat.
Tupou exited the vehicle and walked towards Doctor with a firearm in hand.
He fired the weapon twice at Doctor while he sat in the car.
After the shooting, Tupou got back in the car and left the scene.
A gun was later found in the spare-tyre well of the victim’s car.
Tupou handed himself into police on July 17 and exercised his right to silence.
Tupou is scheduled to be sentenced in August.
Katie Harris is an Auckland-based journalist who covers social issues including sexual assault, workplace misconduct, crime and justice. She joined the Herald in 2020.
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