Post by sparrow on Feb 6, 2009 11:02:30 GMT 12
Here's the link to the Mark McCutcheon murder case: www.stuff.co.nz/4839193a19715.html and I'll put the article in the body of this post. It is worth following the link though to see the pictures of the mother of the accused ...
Mum jailed for abuse in murder case
The Dominion Post | Friday, 06 February 2009
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The Dominon Post
'DISGRACEFUL EXHIBITION': Victoria Stevens, mother of murder-accused Hulio Ataria, is taken from Hastings District Court after her arrest for contempt of court. Inset: supporters of Mark McCutcheon, who died after being stabbed when he went to the aid of a woman allegedly being asaulted.
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The mother of the man accused of murdering Mark McCutcheon has been jailed for contempt of court after barking like a dog, wrestling with police and swearing in front of his widow.
Victoria Stevens, an invalid beneficiary, was among a small group in Hastings District Court to support her son Hulio Ataria, 22, who is accused of murdering Mr McCutcheon on January 23.
Mr McCutcheon's widow, Paula, and about 40 supporters some wearing T-shirts with his image and the message "enough is enough" crowded into the packed courthouse, some having to kneel, others standing.
Stevens, 43, and four supporters sat on the other side of the courtroom.
As Ataria was led away, Stevens yelled, "Love you" and barked like a dog, a sign of Mongrel Mob support. When Judge Richard Watson ordered her arrest she yelled obscenities at him.
Four police officers held Stevens, who resisted arrest and kicked open the doors as she was taken from the court.
Mrs McCutcheon stared calmly at Ataria throughout his brief appearance, while he avoided looking her way.
Stevens pleaded guilty to a charge of contempt of court later in the day. Her lawyer, Rebecca Guthrie, said she was sorry for her behaviour and wanted to apologise to the court and all present.
Judge Watson said it was the worst behaviour he had experienced in court. "It was a disgraceful exhibition ... The language was appalling, your actions were worse.
"It was unseemly, it was unwarranted and it was particularly unfair on the McCutcheon supporters who didn't expect to be confronted with that type of behaviour," he said. "I simply am not prepared to tolerate that sort of behaviour in my court, ever."
Judge Watson said Ataria should have people supporting him at future appearances but warned he would not stand for any similar behaviour. He sentenced Stevens to seven days' jail.
Ataria, a gang associate, is accused of stabbing Mr McCutcheon outside Sandford Arms Hotel at Ongaonga, in Hawke's Bay.
It followed an incident in which a patched gang member allegedly assaulted a woman outside the hotel. Mr McCutcheon, 34, is understood to have gone to help the woman. He was found dead in his car in a paddock on State Highway 50 the next morning.
A 26-year-old man, whose name is suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female yesterday but did not enter a plea on a charge of being party to an assault with intent to injure Mr McCutcheon.
He and Ataria will reappear later this month.
Nick Hume, a McCutcheon family friend, said Mrs McCutcheon would take her three young children away "for a break" this weekend. She did not wish to comment.
Mum jailed for abuse in murder case
The Dominion Post | Friday, 06 February 2009
Email a Friend | Printable View | Have Your Say
The Dominon Post
'DISGRACEFUL EXHIBITION': Victoria Stevens, mother of murder-accused Hulio Ataria, is taken from Hastings District Court after her arrest for contempt of court. Inset: supporters of Mark McCutcheon, who died after being stabbed when he went to the aid of a woman allegedly being asaulted.
Related Links
Subscribe to Archivestuff
Have your say
Advertisement
Advertisement
The mother of the man accused of murdering Mark McCutcheon has been jailed for contempt of court after barking like a dog, wrestling with police and swearing in front of his widow.
Victoria Stevens, an invalid beneficiary, was among a small group in Hastings District Court to support her son Hulio Ataria, 22, who is accused of murdering Mr McCutcheon on January 23.
Mr McCutcheon's widow, Paula, and about 40 supporters some wearing T-shirts with his image and the message "enough is enough" crowded into the packed courthouse, some having to kneel, others standing.
Stevens, 43, and four supporters sat on the other side of the courtroom.
As Ataria was led away, Stevens yelled, "Love you" and barked like a dog, a sign of Mongrel Mob support. When Judge Richard Watson ordered her arrest she yelled obscenities at him.
Four police officers held Stevens, who resisted arrest and kicked open the doors as she was taken from the court.
Mrs McCutcheon stared calmly at Ataria throughout his brief appearance, while he avoided looking her way.
Stevens pleaded guilty to a charge of contempt of court later in the day. Her lawyer, Rebecca Guthrie, said she was sorry for her behaviour and wanted to apologise to the court and all present.
Judge Watson said it was the worst behaviour he had experienced in court. "It was a disgraceful exhibition ... The language was appalling, your actions were worse.
"It was unseemly, it was unwarranted and it was particularly unfair on the McCutcheon supporters who didn't expect to be confronted with that type of behaviour," he said. "I simply am not prepared to tolerate that sort of behaviour in my court, ever."
Judge Watson said Ataria should have people supporting him at future appearances but warned he would not stand for any similar behaviour. He sentenced Stevens to seven days' jail.
Ataria, a gang associate, is accused of stabbing Mr McCutcheon outside Sandford Arms Hotel at Ongaonga, in Hawke's Bay.
It followed an incident in which a patched gang member allegedly assaulted a woman outside the hotel. Mr McCutcheon, 34, is understood to have gone to help the woman. He was found dead in his car in a paddock on State Highway 50 the next morning.
A 26-year-old man, whose name is suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of male assaults female yesterday but did not enter a plea on a charge of being party to an assault with intent to injure Mr McCutcheon.
He and Ataria will reappear later this month.
Nick Hume, a McCutcheon family friend, said Mrs McCutcheon would take her three young children away "for a break" this weekend. She did not wish to comment.
