1.00pm
The mother of murdered Featherston girl Coral-Ellen Burrows has given evidence against the man who allegedly threatened to shoot Coral's killer in the days before her death.
Featherston man Paku Nera Junior Kapene, 25, was committed for trial on a charge of threatening to kill Coral's stepfather, Steven Williams, at Featherston
last September at the end of a depositions hearing in Masterton District Court.
Jeanna Cremen gave evidence against Kapene but said she did not blame him for Coral's death despite the fact she believed Williams' state of mind as a result of Kapene's threats had contributed to his fatal assault on Coral.
She told the court Kapene visited the Featherston house where she lived with Williams several times and threatened Williams because he wanted the return of money he had paid Williams for methamphetamine, or speed.
"Apparently the speed was not good enough and Junior was demanding his money back, $300. Steven tried to give him $80 back but Junior wanted more," she said.
On the first occasion Ms Cremen alleged Kapene was very erratic and tried to goad Williams into a fight. He also threatened to shoot him.
Ms Cremen said she considered Kapene a bully because of his manner and threats and she said she took the threats seriously.
Kapene's lawyer, Ken Daniels, asked her if Williams had been selling speed from her family home.
"Not all the time, no. (But) whoever did ask for it he made it quite knowledgeable he could get speed for anybody," Ms Cremen said.
She said Williams also supplied cannabis and that it was used in her home along with speed at times.
She also said the $80 Williams had tried to give Kapene had been her food money.
Coral's death and Kapene's threats were connected, Ms Cremen told the court.
"I do know if Junior hadn't ... threatened and made Steve feel like he did, my daughter would be alive today."
Mr Daniels asked if she blamed Kapene for Coral's death.
"No, Steven's state of mind," she said.
- WAIRARAPA TIMES-AGE (MASTERTON)
