With a wave and a smile at the jury of six men and five woman, Antonie Dixon left the dock in High Court in Auckland, yesterday after being found guilty for the second time of the same murder.
After a five-week trial the jury threw out Dixon's defence that he was insane when he attacked two women with a samurai sword in a night of bloody violence in January, 2003, at Pipiroa, near Thames, and then drove to Auckland where he shot dead James Te Aute.
On each of the eight charges of murder, shooting at police, firearms charges, kidnapping and causing grievous bodily harm, the jury foreman replied `guilty' in a strong voice.
It was the second time Dixon, 40, had been charged with murder and related offences. In March 2005, he was found guilty of eight charges, including murder, and not guilty of four charges of attempting to murder the two women and two policemen.
At the first trial the jury foreman was asked if the not guilty verdicts were delivered because Dixon was insane. He replied `No'.
Last night Dixon appeared unmoved as the eight charges were read and the guilty verdict was pronounced on each one.
But as he left the dock he waved and smiled at the jury, smiled at an emotional police team at the back of the court and headed into the cells. He will return to court on Friday for a sentencing date to be set.
The emotion of the verdicts was too much for some of the police team who cried and hugged each other outside the court.
Detective Senior Sergeant Pete Jones said he was very happy with the result and the jury had had a very difficult job.
He said it was a long and difficult trial and a big relief to the police officers involved.
"We are very close to the family of James Te Aute and the other victims in this trial and part of it was relief on out part on their behalf," said Mr Jones.
Within minutes of the verdict, Dixon's lawyer, Barry Hart, said he would lodge an appeal with the Court of Appeal.
"We still have some legal issues to resolve and in due course after sentencing, we will be lodging an appeal."
Mr Hart refused to say on what grounds the appeal would be lodged other than to say "there are deficiencies in the summing up and other matters.
"There are always issues involved and there are some particular issues in this case. There are some substantial ones."
"At the end of the day the question is has the person received a fair trial. If there are deficiencies in the summing up and the way it proceeds, the defence is entitled to proceed and I am saying there are matters to be canvassed," Mr Hart said.
Crown prosecutor Simon Moore said the verdicts brought enormous relief.
"It was incredibly complex evidence and the most complex summing up I have ever heard a judge have to give. To get through the other end of a second trial is a hell of a relief."
He said the trial judge, Justice Hugh Williams did an "extraordinary job" with his summing up.
"It was the toughest summing up I think would confront any judge in this country," Mr Moore said.
NZPA
source: newshub archive
