Black Sheep Machine Gun Murder: the story of Bassett Road (Part 2)
The case of the Bassett Road machinegun murders breaks wide open, two key witnesses come forward with critical information. But the most interesting part of the story is what happens after the conviction...
It's nearly Christmas, 1963. Detectives have identified John Gillies as their main suspect in the murders of Kevin Speight and George Walker. Both men were found riddled with .45 caliber bullets from a submachine gun inside their rented house in Bassett Road, Remuera.
The killings had all the hallmarks of a gang turf war. It was quickly proven that the two victims had been operating an illegal beerhouse at Bassett Road.
But witnesses had painted a confusing picture. They said Gillies got the gun to settle a feud with Barry Shaw. So why was Shaw alive while Speight and Walker were dead? And who was the mysterious second man Gillies says was in the room when the shots were fired?
The police didn't know it, but they already had the critical piece of evidence they need to break the case wide open: A love letter from Mary Rapira, the teenage girlfriend of 62-year-old Gerry Wilby - leader of a rival beerhouse in Anglesea Street, Ponsonby.
Archival audio courtesy of Ngā Taonga Sound and Vision.