Stanlake 'died from cut throat' | New Zealand

Stanlake 'died from cut throat'

Tony Stanlake was repeatedly bashed in the head but died from having his throat cut, though it was "highly unlikely" an attempt was made to decapitate him, a pathologist has told the High Court at Wellington.

Pathologist Simon Stables told a jury yesterday that he did not think Mr Stanlake's wounds were extensive enough to indicate attempted decapitation.

But his throat had been cut and he bled to death after being hit on the head and probably knocked unconscious.

The jury left court for 10 minutes after Dr Stables began

Accused - Daniel Robert Moore

describing the injuries to Mr Stanlake's face, when one juror looked upset and accepted the offer of a break.

Dr Stables was giving evidence at the start of the second week of the trial of Daniel Robert Moore, 23, who has pleaded not guilty to murdering Mr Stanlake, 62, on July 6, 2006.

The Crown alleges the two were growing cannabis together and Moore wanted to eliminate the senior partner and take over the business.

Mr Stanlake's body was found in the sea at Red Rocks on Wellington's south coast. His hands had been removed and have not been found.

Dr Stables said Mr Stanlake had been hit on the head with a blunt object at least four times, fracturing his skull. Using a model of a skull, he pointed out the large areas affected.

Mr Stanlake's hands were cut off after death. The right hand was not removed with a single stroke but the left was "very nicely" cut through the wrist joint, Dr Stables said.

He rejected defence lawyer Greg King's suggestion that the injuries showed skill such as a slaughterman or butcher might have.

Richard Camara-Pereira, whose sister, Ana, was Moore's girlfriend, said he flatted with Moore and his sister at the Miramar house where the Crown alleges Mr Stanlake was killed.

He said Moore would ask them to leave when "The Boss" was coming to see him. Moore sometimes also called the man Kim. Mr Camara-Pereira said he never saw the man.

He said Moore had once shown him cannabis plants growing in a room at the house, and also sold "a little bit" of cannabis.

The trial is expected to last a further four or five weeks.

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