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Stephen Thomas Hudson - Source: ONE News -
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Stephen Thomas Hudson, 39, has been found guilty in the High Court at Wellington of the March 2002 murder of his friend Nicholas Pike.
The verdict, which took just four hours, has finally provided
some closure for the victim's family.
Hudson was remanded in custody and will be sentenced some time in
the New Year, Justice Ronald Young says.
Pike, 22, had not been seen since he went into isolated country off the Desert Rd with Hudson, who was his boss in the drugs trade.
His body was never found.
At the time, Hudson was on the run from the police for a violent attack and drug offences.
He was arrested two months later.
Violent history revealved
Hudson is already in jail, serving 12 years for a December 2001 stabbing, and firearms offences.
The High Court trial heard accounts of Hudson's activities from about 70 witnesses, including players in the provincial drug trade and convicted murderers.
Crown prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk told the High Court trial Hudson "stands apart because he is capable of grievous violence".
"He is brazen. He is bold. He manages to evade capture."
While having a special talent for violent misdeeds, Hudson was also good at escaping, and staying at large.
He liked to invite those who crossed him into the wilderness, or down an isolated back road, as Pike and a man who slept with his girlfriend discovered.
Daniel Cook, 23, at the time of the November 2001 attack, was not keen to go to a Tutaki Rd rendezvous, on the northern outskirts of Palmerston North.
Hudson's girlfriend lured him to the address, where Hudson was waiting with a hammer, a cohort and a bad temper.
Cook tried to drive off, but was hit about the head "a couple of times" and grabbed by the throat.
After his attackers said they would shoot him if he told police, Cook managed to start his car and escape.
He went to Palmerston North Hospital, where he was treated for injuries to his head, hands, knees and shoulders. He also had two teeth removed.
After the incident, Hudson spent five months on the run from police, who wanted him in connection with a stabbing and drug offences.
While police were hunting for him, he killed Pike.
He was recaptured in Tauranga, after a large part of the central city was cordoned off and an armed offenders squad marksman in a helicopter cruised the neighbourhood.
Hudson did not try to use a .357 calibre pistol in his possession. A large amount of cannabis was seized.
Prison Escape
While awaiting trial, Hudson escaped from Manawatu Prison at Linton with cellmate Michael Paul McKegg, cutting through a window frame with a hacksaw blade, then using blankets to cover a razor-wire fence.
McKegg turned himself in at the prison after 26 days on the run.
Hudson, due to face an attempted murder charge, was re-captured in Tauranga six days later.
He was handcuffed and flanked by two female police officers when he appeared in court to face two drugs charges and a charge of escaping from custody.
He pleaded guilty to all three charges.
Now Hudson is set for an even longer stint in jail.
