In a surprise admission, one of the accused in a high-profile gang trial has changed her plea on the third day into the trial.
Murupara Mongrel Mob gang associate, Lynette Victoria Teddy, 38, was re-arraigned in the High Court at Rotorua before a jury and Justice Edwin Wylie, and pleaded guilty to one of four charges she was facing - a charge of participating in an organised criminal group at Murupara and Kawerau between January 27 and February 4 last year, with reckless disregard it would lead to criminal activity.
Teddy is one of eight Mongrel Mob members on trial charged with a series of alleged incidents, prior to and following the death of 16-year-old Jordan Herewini.
She, with the other accused, entered not guilty pleas to all the charges as their trial got under way on Monday.
One of the accused, Quentin Pukeroa, is charged with murdering Herewini and the attempted murder of another man.
The other six face a range of charges including aggravated burglary, participation in an organised criminal group, possession of weapons including a stun gun, injuring with intent and being an accessory after the fact.
Following Teddy's plea yesterday Rotorua Crown Solicitor Fletcher Pilditch offered no evidence on the other charges she was facing and they were withdrawn by Justice Wylie.
THE CHARGES
- Quentin Duane Pukeroa, 32, murder, two counts of aggravated burglary, injuring with intent, attempted murder, participation in a criminal group with reckless disregard it could lead to a crime.
- Kingi Morgan Gemmell, 40, two counts of aggravated burglary, participation in a criminal group with reckless disregard and injuring with intent.
- Massey Ngaheu, 37, participation in a criminal group with reckless disregard it could lead to a crime.
- Jason Kirk Iopata, 37, participation in a criminal group with reckless disregard it could lead to a crime, accessory after the fact of aggravated burglary suppressed evidence to help avoid arrest by hiding a vehicle and weapons used in a crime and unlawful possession of a restricted weapon - a stun gun.
- Terry John Faataape, 40, unlawful possession of firearm - a shotgun, possession of offensive weapons - a metal bar and wooden pole - with intent to use them to commit violence.
- Clayton Fox, 34, and William Te Paire Aramoana, 25, both participation in a criminal group with reckless disregard it could lead to a crime.
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