A High Court jury has retired to decide if five men are guilty of an Auckland woman's kidnapping and manslaughter.
Jindarat Prutsiriporn Photo: NZ Police
Jindarat Prutsiriporn Prutsiriporn died from serious head injuries in March last year, after she threw herself from the boot of a moving car while bound and gagged.
The Crown said Ms Prutsiriporn, 50, was lured from her house on the pretence of a drug deal and kidnapped by members and associates of the Head Hunters gang.
Seng Lek Liev, Apichart Korhomklang, Luigi Havea, Tafito Vaifale and Joseph Haurua are charged with kidnapping Ms Prutsiriporn and causing her death by threats or fear of violence. They deny all charges against them.
Justice Matthew Palmer, summing up the trial in the High Court in Auckland, told members of the jury to put aside any prejudices over gang affiliations and drug use.
And Justice Palmer cautioned the jury to carefully consider the more than 2000 pages of evidence they heard during the 10-week trial.
A sixth man - Tevita Fangupo - faces a kidnapping charge only.