Raymond’s injuries comparable to a plane crash

Raymond Fleet, 51, and nephew James Fleet, 25.

Raymond Fleet was "likely" still alive when his head was run over by a vehicle.

That's the view of forensic pathologist Dr Simon Stables.

Stables was giving evidence at the High Court in Rotorua on Monday at the trial of two men accused of the double murder of Raymond and James Fleet, Mikaere Hura and Zen Pulemoana​.

Two other men, Martin Hone and Richard Te Kani, have already been convicted of murder and manslaughter respectively in relation to the August 2017 killings.

Crown prosecutor Duncan McWilliam asked Stables whether he believed Raymond was alive when he was run over.

"Given the changes in the lungs, he was likely alive," he said.

"My opinion is the wheel went over his face, rather than the back of his head."

Stables told the court he has conducted more than 5000 post mortems and had only seen injuries similar to Raymond's as a result of plane crashes or industrial accidents.

He said the extensive nature of the injuries suffered by Raymond included multiple fractures and "a complete crushing injury to the skull".

He told the court James Fleet was killed by a head injury "consistent with the edge of a spade".

Before post mortem photographs were distributed to the jury, they received a warning from Justice Sally Fitzgerald.

"Some of the photos are distressing in nature, some more than others," she said.

"Any emotional response you have to the photographs, you just have to put that to one side."

Stables' evidence completed the Crown case, and lawyers for Hura and Pulemoana said neither would be calling evidence.

The Crown alleged the murders came in the wake of a botched methamphetamine 'cook' arranged by Raymond, which James played no part in, amid suspicion he had been stealing from the production.

Lawyers for Hura and Pulemoana, Harry Edward and Max Simpkins, have argued their clients played no direct role in the double murder and as gang prospects were subordinate to Hone and Te Kani.

The trial is set to continue.

-Stuff/Benn Bathgate.

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