Wellington murder victim Tony Stanlake lived a double life, fabricating an out-of-town job to cover a cannabis-growing operation, a court was told today.
Mr Stanlake's mutilated body washed up on Wellington's south coast on July 9, 2006. His hands had been severed and his throat cut.
Daniel Moore,
22, is accused of murdering Mr Stanlake, injuring with intent, and burglary.
At the start of yesterday's depositions hearing at Wellington District Court, prosecutor Grant Burston told the court Moore murdered Mr Stanlake in order to gain control of all of the profits from the pair's cannabis growing operation.
Today's first witness, whose name has been suppressed, said she met Mr Stanlake in 1985.
The witness told of his cannabis conviction in 2001 which resulted in a $10,000 fine.
She said the conviction did not mark the end of his drugs activities, as she later discovered hydroponic equipment at one of his Wellington properties.
On another occasion she said she would not enter his house because it smelt so strongly of cannabis.
As a result of his conviction, the witness said she learnt of his use of the false names Andrew Roberts and Robert Andrews.
Mr Stanlake had fabricated a double life, saying he had a computer job in Porirua, and constructing elaborate information including attending a co-worker's birthday lunch, while he was in fact running a cannabis operation.
The witness said she thought she had got to know Mr Stanlake but he still had a very secretive side involving drugs and pornography.
She told of a man who never admitted doing anything wrong.
Contrary to evidence given by another witness yesterday, who said Mr Stanlake always carried large amounts of cash, today's witness said he paid for everything by eftpos or credit card.
The hearing before justices of the peace Bernadette Pool and Ian Symonds continues.
- NZPA
