Widow numb as suspect charged

Garth McVicar

"Numbness" was Agnes Nicholas' reaction to the news that her almost two-year wait for someone to be charged with her husband's murder had come to an end.

Jack Nicholas, 71, was gunned down at the gate of his remote farm at Puketitiri, northwest of Napier, on August 27, 2004.

Despite an intensive police investigation, the Nicholas family had to wait many months for yesterday to come.

The man accused of the killing stood silently during a brief appearance in the Napier District Court yesterday where he was remanded in custody, by consent, until May 24.

Judge Barry Morris ordered a prohibition on publishing the identity of the 49-year-old accused, to remain in place until tomorrow, giving the man's lawyer the chance to apply to the High Court for a further suppression order if so desired.

The man also faces an earlier charge of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

For Mrs Nicholas, yesterday the business of the court played second fiddle to the demands of her farm.

"I'm just numb. I haven't really thought about it. I'm thinking about having to go out now and feed the animals."

Detective Senior Sergeant Bill Gregory of Napier said officers who had worked hard to make an arrest were quietly pleased a murder charge had been laid.

"It's been a very difficult inquiry and has taken a lot of hard work from a lot of people. There is a sense of elation in the air, but there's also a sense of tragedy.

"You can't help but think that today is a very difficult day for the family, who are still coming to terms with the death of a loved one."

The initial breakthrough came when a person approached lobby group the Sensible Sentencing Trust and said they had information which could lead police to the alleged killer.

The trust put that person in touch with police, and the information had been vital in re-energising the investigation, Mr Gregory said.

As a result of what the person had told police, they searched several properties in Haumoana, near Napier, finding two firearms cartridges in a house. Police also impounded several vehicles and combed the banks of the Tukituki River for evidence.

On April 18 police arrested the accused and charged him with attempting to pervert the course of justice. Police called the arrest a significant step forward, but it was several more days before the murder charge was laid.

"We believe there are still people out there who have information relevant to this inquiry, and we would urge they come forward," Mr Gregory said.

Police would continue investigating the circumstances leading up to Mr Nicholas' death.

Sensible Sentencing Trust spokesman Garth McVicar, whose farm is near the Nicholas property, was at the court yesterday. He had spoken to his neighbours and they were pleased the murder charge had been laid.

"I spoke to Agnes last night and she was hugely relieved that the wheels of justice are slowly starting to turn. I congratulate the police on their persistence and the fantastic job they've done," Mr McVicar said.

"I'm only one farm removed from Jack's, and to live in a community where you have somebody like this on the loose and not knowing has been very hard on the whole community.

"There have been rumours flying around which have been very stressful for the family. Those rumours will end today."

The trust, which lobbies for strong sentences to be imposed on violent criminals, was placed in an unusual position last November when it was approached by someone with crucial evidence relating to the murder.

Mr McVicar said the organisation did not approach police initially, instead working to gain the trust of the informant.

The trust had offered a reward for information leading to the conviction of someone for the murder of Mr Nicholas. Mr McVicar said the informant had not come forward because of the reward offer.