Accused handcuffed in taxi-murder case

Press, 19 May 1984, Page 8

Accused handcuffed in taxi-murder case

PA Auckland Two young South Auckland men charged with the murder of a taxi-driver, Ta’ai Lafaele, were handcuffed together when they appeared yesterday in the District Court at Otahuhu. Both were identically dressed in dark blue overalls and gave “thumbs up” signs to girl-friends after being led into the No. 1 courtroom.

Jerry Heremaia Pirini, aged 20, unemployed, of Otara, and Peter Norman Puckey, aged 22, unemployed, of Otahuhu, were charged with murdering Mr Lafaele on Tuesday. They

did not enter pleas. Pirini is also charged with the armed robbery of two women at Wiri on Tuesday. the charge alleges he stole a radio cassette player, clothing, a suitcase and an amount of money from lona Gibbs and Jane Gault while armed with a knife. Judge Mac Lean remanded both accused in custody to May 24. Pirini was to have appeared on Thursday for sentence in the Otahuhu District Court after pleading guilty to charges of unlawfully taking a motor vehicle, assault and stealing number

plates. His lawyer. Mr Chris Field, told the Court on Thursday that his client might have forgotten he was due to appear in court. Mr Field said outside the court yesterday that he did not realise Pirini had been arrested and later charged with murder. When the Judge said he would hold over these other charges until May 24 Pirini called out from the dock. “What's the third charge?" When told of his failure to appear before the Court on Thursday, Pirini swore at the Judge. Both defendants were then led back to the holding cells by police.