KEY POINTS:
The jury in the trial of a man accused of murdering a triad enforcer retired to consider its verdict this morning.
Wan Yee Chow, aged 54, has denied murdering Tam Yam Ah, 37, in the early hours of July 7 last year.
The prosecution alleged Chow shot long-time criminal Tam -- identified in an earlier court hearing as a triad hitman -- outside Tam's karaoke bar in Symonds Street, Auckland.
Summing up, Justice Patricia Courtney told the jury the only evidence in the case was circumstantial.
She said the prosecution relied heavily on the evidence of a 43-year-old Hutt Valley man who was granted immunity from prosecution if he testified against Chow.
The witness said he and the accused drove from Wellington to Auckland on July 6 and spent the evening scoping out Tam's movements.
The man then said the pair parked close by Tam's apartment building around 4am, the time of the killing.
He then saw Chow loading a gun and dressing himself in dark clothing and a hat.
Moments later Tam's BMW drove past and the witness said Chow disappeared. He then heard a shot, and Chow returned telling him to drive back to Wellington, tehman said.
Justice Courtney told the jurors they must decide whether the witness was credible and reliable.
"If you believe the witness then the evidence would be powerful," she said.
The judge said the defence vigorously attacked the witness's credibility saying he had 70 previous convictions, at least three aliases, and a strong motive to convict Chow.
- NZPA