Flatmates Fought After Drinking Together (Press, 3 June 1988)

In November 1987, a violent incident occurred between two men living together in a homosexual relationship, Te Rangi Tuatahi Stirling and his flatmate Richard Kerry Bentley. The altercation took place after a night of heavy drinking on 5 November, culminating in Stirling stabbing Bentley in the heart with a vegetable knife. Stirling, aged 26, faced charges of wounding Bentley with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, as well as wounding with intent to injure. He denied these claims, which were examined during a trial in the High Court. During the trial, medical evidence revealed that Bentley had required extensive surgery after the stabbing, which nearly resulted in fatality. He lost a significant volume of blood and spent several days in hospital recovering. Bentley, 20 at the time, recounted events of that night, describing how both he and Stirling became extremely intoxicated and engaged in an argument that led to a physical confrontation. He noted that he had been too inebriated to remember the details of the quarrel. After resuming his fight with Stirling, Bentley stated that he returned to bed, only for Stirling to return with the knife and attack him. The ensuing struggle resulted in the knife entering Bentley's chest. Following the incident, Stirling left the flat, and his brother later arrived at the scene after being alerted by Stirling, who expressed fear that he had killed Bentley. Stirling’s brother described his sibling as being in a shaken and bruised state. Detective Constable S. M. Willcox provided testimony that indicated Stirling had confessed to the stabbing, acknowledging the influence of alcohol on their actions. Stirling claimed that he had been regularly beaten by Bentley and that he only grabbed the knife in a bid to defend himself and equalise the power dynamic in their relationship. He maintained that he did not aim to harm Bentley intentionally, and his actions were not premeditated. The defence argued that the stabbing could have been an accidental outcome of their physical struggle or a reflex in self-defence. The trial culminated with both Crown and defence presenting their cases, after which the judge prepared to summate the evidence for the jury. The volatile relationship between the two men was underscored by a history of violence, jealousy, and possessiveness. Despite both acknowledging a pattern of violent incidents in their relationship, Bentley indicated that they had achieved a sense of happiness following the stabbing incident. The jury’s deliberations were awaited after the closing arguments from both sides presented the complex dynamics of their relationship and the events leading to the stabbing.

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