The trial over the killing of a Ngaruawahia man found dead at McLaren Falls last year has begun in Hamilton.
Christopher Ramia Smith, Leon Colin Wilson and Chloe Nardiah Leigh Kerridge are on trial in the High Court at Hamilton for their alleged role in the death of Mitchell Paterson on July 12, 2018.
Five others charged over his death have either admitted their roles or already been sentenced.
Paterson’s body was found bound, wrapped and dumped in the river under the McLaren’s Fall Bridge early on the morning of July 13 last year.
Appearing before Justice Paul Davison, the accused denied their respective charges.
Chloe Nardiah Leigh Kerridge denies charges of kidnapping and conspiring to defeat the course of justice.
Leon Colin Wilson, 49, of Hamilton, denies charges of manslaughter, kidnapping and conspiring to defeat the course of justice.
Christopher Ramia Smith, 34, denies charges of manslaughter, kidnapping and conspiring to defeat the course of justice.
The Crown alleges that on July 11, 2018, the accused were all at Wilson’s St Andrew’s home when they began discussing claims Paterson had badmouthed Wilson, the local leader of the Nomads Motorcycle Club.
Wilson then decided he wanted Paterson brought to his home. Kerridge and two others found him at a central city apartment.
He was lured out on the premise of a drug deal.
Unbeknownst to Paterson, Wilson, Smith and another man were waiting in a car nearby.
Paterson continued with the drug deal and sat in the back of a car, one leg in, one out, when Wilson was alerted to come over.
Wilson’s car, being driven by Smith, then pulled up alongside the car. At that point, Foster said a witness will testify how the penny appeared to drop with Paterson as on seeing Wilson his look was “one of shock, one of fear, but of course there was nowhere that Mr Paterson could go”.
Wilson, followed by a vehicle Kerridge was in, then told the man to drive as Paterson was pulled into the car and driven off.
Struggling to break free, Paterson was put in a headlock, or choke hold.
However, Paterson fought and kicked out at the driver and the back seat window which shortly afterwards smashed.
The car pulled over. Smith then got into the back seat of the Subaru Impreza to help restrain Paterson.
After trying to raise him, they realised he was dead.
Kerridge and others then left while those that remain then allegedly chatted about what to do with Paterson’s body which was then wrapped up in a blue tarpaulin.
Foster said another of the group will testify how was contacted by Kerridge who told him to clean up his car and she would arrange a new window for him.
Wilson then got arranged for his associates to get rid of the body after putting Paterson in his Terrano and ordering it to be set on fire.
However, the associates came up with a new plan – and threw Paterson off the bridge.
Wilson then heard about the unapproved change of plan and set about trying to contact his associates about out why they changed his plan, Foster told the court.
Wilson’s lawyer Roger Laybourn made a brief opening statement stating his client never intended to use any violence on Paterson that would lead to serious injury or death as he only wanted to talk to him.
Laybourn said Wilson wasn’t overly perturbed by what was being spread about him but he wanted him, voluntarily, brought to his home for the chat.
As for the obstructing justice charge, Laybourn said Wilson was “appalled’ to find Paterson in an incapacitated state after arriving at his house.
The Crown will call their first witness after the lunch adjournment.
The trio’s fate will be decided by a jury of seven women and five men over the next two weeks.