Gang trio killed boss, court told

24.03.2004

A tale of drugs, gang enforcement and retribution allegedly culminating in murder has unfolded at a depositions hearing in the Papakura District Court this week.

Three men are accused of murdering Highway 61 president, Kevin Paul Weavers, who bled to death after being stabbed in the leg last September.

They are Kelly Raymond Robertson, 45, of Brookby, represented by Marie Dyhrberg and Linda Fulton; Michael Douglas Gould, 54, of Whangarei, represented by Panama Le'Au'Anae; and Michael William William Brittain, 44, represented by Chris Comeskey.

Mr Weavers was the national president of the Highway 61 gang, while Robertson was a former president of the Auckland chapter and Gould was a patched member.

In papers handed to the Papakura JPs, the Crown, represented by Brian Dickey and Brett Tantrum, alleges that Weavers was attacked at the Manurewa Highway 61 headquarters as pay-back after he acted to enforce gang justice.

According to the Crown, the events leading to Mr Weavers' death started when a male and female went to Brittain's Papakura home for dinner on September 23.

Representatives of the 45 Outlaw Motor Cycle gang arrived, claiming the couple owed money for a drug debt. When no payment was made, a gang member assaulted them.

The couple reported the incident to Mr Weavers, who believed that Brittain had organised the violent visit by the 45's gang member.

Mr Weavers went to Brittain's home with three associates and attacked him about the head and body with a hammer and other weapons.

They also took Brittain's Harley Davidson motorcycle, known in gang parlance as "taxing".

Brittain was taken to Middlemore Hospital with a broken arm, cuts to his leg and scalp and severe concussion.

Brittain told staff he knew who had put him there and that he was going to kill him, the papers allege.

He is alleged to have said he was going to get others to make his attacker feel just like he did in his hospital bed and that he was going to get his motorcycle back.

Brittain discharged himself from hospital and allegedly asked Robertson to help him get his motorcycle back. They picked up Gould and another man and stopped outside the Highway 61 gang headquarters in Holmes Rd, Manurewa, where several gang members, including Mr Weavers, lived.

While Brittain stayed in the vehicle, Gould and Robertson allegedly went to the gate, which had a sentry posted at all times to monitor who entered the premises.

They were allowed in and went to see Mr Weavers.

It is alleged that Mr Weavers was stabbed several times to the lower body.

The pair then left, telling the sentry to call for an ambulance.

Mr Weavers was taken to hospital in a critical state, and despite the efforts of paramedics was pronounced dead 90 minutes later.

One of the stab wounds to his thigh pierced his femoral artery in two places and he bled to death.

The Crown says there will be pathological evidence that Mr Weavers' wounds were caused by two different weapons.

When spoken to by police Brittain admitted being assaulted by Mr Weavers and being in the vehicle with Robertson and Gould when they travelled to the Highway 61 headquarters where Mr Weavers was confronted and attacked.

The depositions hearing is expected to end tomorrow

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