A man has described how he tried in vain to save his friend, who collapsed on his driveway after being beaten and suffered a fatal heart attack.
Two men, Desmond Leaf, 30, and Harlem Rawiri Turi, 32, have been charged with manslaughter by assault following the death of small-time drug dealer Michael Mullholland on September 20 last year.
An alternate charge of injuring with intent to injure has also been laid and Turi has also been charged with robbery.
The case, which began yesterday at the Wellington High Court, is being heard before Justice Robert Dobson and a jury.
Today, Sean Barclay recounted how Mr Mullholland managed to drive the short distance along Farmer Cres, Lower Hutt, to the property Mr Barclay was house-sitting.
Mr Mullholland collapsed shortly after reaching the house and had cuts and bruises around his eyes, Mr Barclay said. His mouth was also full of blood.
"He was gurgling hard. [He was] trying to tell me something, but nah. I had the phone on speaker and was telling them [emergency services] to hurry up."
Mr Barclay was told by emergency services to roll Mr Mullholland on his side and check his throat was clear, then put him on his back before starting chest compressions.
Crying was heard in the public gallery as Mr Barclay gave his evidence.
It took about eight minutes for an ambulance and the fire service to turn up to the scene and about 20 minutes for police to arrive, he said.
Earlier that day, Mr Barclay had gone to Mr Mullholland’s house to pick up some firewood and saw a number of cars and people at the house he did not recognise.
The Crown contends that Turi and Leaf, both patched Mongrel Mob members, beat Mr Mullholland over the sale of methamphetamine. Mr Mullholland managed to get into his nephew’s car and drive to Mr Barclay’s house around 10pm - only about 10 minutes after the assault is alleged to have happened.
Mr Mullholland was known to sell cannabis, methamphetamine and his own prescription medicine. He had a heart condition, took painkillers for a foot injury and had previously had a heart attack in 2004.
The trial is expected to last about two weeks.
3 News
source: newshub archive
