An eyewitness to an attack on Bay of Plenty school principal
and Environment Bay of Plenty councillor Hawea Vercoe, says
his head was kicked like a rugby ball.
The 36-year-old Te Kura Kaupapa Maori o Te Rotoiti principal
died after allegedly being assaulted outside a Whakatane bar
last November.
Opotiki 21-year-old Isaiah Johnson Richard Tai has been
charged with murder and has appeared for a depositions
hearing.
One witness, Sarah Barlow, said she saw Mr Vercoe and Tai
arguing outside the bar, the Daily Post reported.
Moments later she watched a man, identified by other
witnesses as Tai, run and punch Mr Vercoe in the head, and
while he was on the ground unconscious, kick him in the head.
"It was a huge kick, like someone taking a penalty kick in
rugby," she said.
Ms Barlow said she put Mr Vercoe in the recovery position,
but he was unresponsive.
Another witness to the alleged attack, Jemma Ellis, said she
asked Tai why he had attacked Mr Vercoe, and he replied: "He
deserved it".
Tai was due to appear in the High Court at Rotorua on April
15 for a trial date to be set. He has entered no plea.
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