Michael helped his mother Pearl look after his baby brother, doing his share of nappy changing. As Stanley got older, he took him to rugby league and church.
He saw his relationship with Stanley as one of protector, he was a father figure to him and the pair had a solid bond.
Pearl Murray died on August 15, 2013 after battling cancer for several years. Her condition was diagnosed as terminal six months before her death. Murray and Stanley took on the role of caregiver in that last six months, living with their mum in her West Auckland Housing New Zealand property.
When she died her kids and family published a notice in the Herald. They described her as someone who loved her family with her heart and soul.
"Her generosity had no limits and she gave her life for her kids willingly," they said.
Murray took her death particularly hard and after one drinking session got into a physical fight with Stanley. It was on that day, he said, that he gave up alcohol because he didn't like the effect it had on him.
But he was a regular cannabis user, enjoying a smoke with friends and, often, Stanley.
Murray is a father-of-three. Three-and-a-half months before his arrest he and his partner had a baby girl. He has a 12-year-old daughter and 10-year-old son from a previous relationship.
He lived mostly at his partner's house but when he had his older kids for the weekend he stayed at 401 Don Buck Rd where he had a room in a sleepout at the back of the house.
A court suppression order prevents the Herald from identifying Murray's partner and children. The order was made soon after his arrest after fears for their safety were raised.
Stanley lived in the sleepout too, in a separate room. Both men have dogs - Murray has a brindle named Munter and his brother took their mother's dog when she died.
Murray is not a big man but he is physically fit. He and Stanley trained in kickboxing for about three years. He said while neither of them was any good at the sport, they enjoyed participating for fitness.
Throughout his trial Murray was quiet. He sat in the dock flanked by security guards and, for the most part, looked nervous, and at times scared. Who could blame him with the still-grieving family and friends of his victim - including patched gang members - sitting just metres away each day?
He contained his emotions, breaking just once when his brother gave evidence and spoke of their childhood and relationship. Murray began to cry at the sight of his little brother on the stand, and until he was given tissues, wiped his tears with the cuffs of his checked shirt.
As Stanley left the courtroom Murray whispered softly "love you bro" when he was led past the dock.
His sister attended court for the first time when the defence and Crown delivered closing submissions. She sat in the public gallery directly behind Murray, supported by a group of women.
Murray was well dressed, his shirts pressed and his hair freshly trimmed throughout the trial. And when it was time for him to speak he was clear, articulate and polite.
