Eugene Daniel Baker during his appearance, for murder, in the High Court ,Wellington. Photo/Mark Mitchell
Eugene Daniel Baker during his appearance, for murder, in the High Court ,Wellington. Photo/Mark Mitchell
The man accused of decapitating a 71-year-old Petone man can now be named as Eugene Baker.
Baker, 41, appeared in the High Court at Wellington this morning, where his name suppression lapsed.
He is charged with murdering Francis Tyson on November 30 as well as unrelated charges of intentional damageand possession of non-approved psychoactive substances for supply.
Following the death, a neighbour said Tyson, who he knew only as "Frank" or "Frankie" was "an old pensioner" who had been dealing synthetic drugs or "synnies" to get by.
"Everyone's doing that, that's the hustle. He's a pensioner, he's doing his bit to hustle."
Francis Tyson, known as Frank, was dealing synthetic drugs to get by, a neighbour said. Photo / Facebook
He said the drugs were related to the killing, but were not the motive.
He would not speak on the record about what he knew of the killing.
The neighbour said he knew Tyson well, and that people in the area used him as a "ghetto taxi driver". Tyson would regularly drive friends and neighbours to work or the supermarket for a small fee.
