The trial of the man accused of murdering a young Pakuranga mother is drawing to a close.
Turiarangi Tai is on trial in the High Court at Auckland accused of shooting 22-year-old Chozyn Koroheke at a house in Pakuranga last year.
Ms Koroheke died from her injuries after being shot once in the abdomen with a 12-gauge double-barrelled shotgun on April 4.
Tai finished giving evidence today, after three days on the witness stand.
Moheofo Manulevu, a 25-year-old woman, is also appearing on trial alongside Tai, charged with being an accessory after the fact of murder.
Manulevu’s defence counsel, Conrad Wright, told the jury his client wished to give evidence to ensure the court had all the facts on her side of the story.
He told the jury they could only find her guilty if they were in no doubt that the reason, or a reason, she called a taxi for Tai was so that he could avoid arrest.
“If you hold a doubt that was the reason then you must acquit her,” he said.
Mr Wright said helping Tai avoid arrest was not his client’s aim.
“The events were not straightforward, and Miss Manulevu’s situation is not straightforward.”
The trial, in front of Justice Matthew Muir and a jury, is expected to wrap up this week.
