The Coromandel shooting

Radio NZ reported:

A man who died of a gunshot wound on the Coromandel Peninsula on Friday has been described as a “loveable ratbag” and father of five boys.

Kevin Mark Mabbott died about 2pm at Waiau on The 309 Road, and another man was airlifted to Auckland City Hospital with a gunshot wound. Police said the latter remained in a serious condition.

A third man was taken into custody later that afternoon, and on Saturday the 77-year-old was charged with murder and attempted murder. …

On Friday, she wrote: “Rest in peace and love our son. We are all broken. Your two sisters, numerous cousins, aunties, uncles, friends and five sons.

“A needless end to your vibrant lovable crazy ratbag free-spirited self.”

I understand that there is huge community support for the elderly farmer and not so much for the poachers.

Now let’s be clear that no one should be killed for poaching. The dead man was a son, a father, a brother, an uncle etc. The loss of his life is devastating to his family and friends – especially his sons.

But the 77 year old was well known as someone who doted on his pigs. They were his pets. To have people come onto his land and kill them would have been terribly upsetting to him. Did he crack in a moment of despair. Did he fear for his life as armed men were on his property. We may not know until the trial.

He should not have shot the men unless he was in fear of his life. They should not have been on his property firing guns and killing his pets. Those two wrongs are not equal – it is worse to kill a man than pigs, even pet pigs. But they would be alive if they had not done what they did.

I understand the level of support for the 77 year old is so great that they would be hard pressed to find a local jury that would convict him. So do not be surprised if there is an application to move the trial to a more distant venue.