1.30PM: The late Ron Brown, who died after being attacked in his Onehunga home last December, has this morning been described in a court depositions hearing as a "nice guy" and "a gentleman" with a happy, jolly personality who was always in a good mood and made conversation freely. Ron Brown The comments came from patrons and staff of the Onehunga bar where Brown, 69, met his alleged murderer, Hungarian tourist Ferdinand Ambach. Ambach faces three charges of murder, assault and intentional damage. He appeared calm in court, casually dressed and clean-shaven, accompanied by an interpreter and nodding occasionally as prosecution evidence was given. Two Justices Of The Peace hearing the depositions were told by crown lawyer Nik Williams that Ambach, who had only recently arrived in the country, and Brown met up at Brown's regular watering hole, the 306 Bar, on the evening of Friday 7 December. Brown had been drinking and chatting with other patrons. None of the staff or patrons had seen Ambach, who was described as a good looking young man, before. Witnesses testified that the premises are a "family and community" type of bar, and "not a gay bar." Although none of the witnesses saw Brown and Ambach leave together, it appears they were both gone from the bar at around 8.30pm. The hearing was shown security camera images of the pair buying what was described as "a small amount of liquor" at a nearby liquor store and waiting for a taxi. The prosecution alleges that the pair went together to Brown's Onehunga home. Ambach says he got quite drunk and claims that Brown made sexual advances to him. He says he is vague about what transpired after that. The hearing was told by the prosecution that it appears Brown was attacked around 12.40am and that his banjo was used as a weapon against him. Police, called by neighbours, found Brown lying by the bottom of the stairs. The apartment had been "trashed," with windows smashed and furniture up-ended. Ambach was still upstairs and was apprehended after a struggle with police officers. Brown was taken to hospital where he remained on life support until he died on the evening of Monday December 10th. The business manager of the Onehunga bar this morning described Brown as "a jolly person who loved life and loved his beer." He said the elderly gay man was a talkative person, "always a gentleman who would never swear and was always well composed." The small public area of the courtroom used for the hearing was packed with around twenty people, including some of Brown's family and friends. The hearing has been set down for three days, during which evidence from 72 witnesses will be presented, some in person and some by written statements.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Wednesday, 9th July 2008 - 1:24pm