Yesterday in the High Court at Dunedin, Lance Colin Robert Moore, 36, pleaded guilty to manslaughter of the 28-year-old man after a charge of murder was dropped.
After more than a year of speculation, the circumstances which led up to Mr Buis’ death in the Dunedin park were aired in court yesterday for the first time.
While not charged, the central figure to what transpired was 31-year-old Teryn Joy Uren, who knew both Moore and the victim through the city’s methamphetamine circles.
Ms Uren had obtained some of the class-A drug from Moore and the plan was for her and Mr Buis to use some and sell the rest so she could settle the $350 debt with the defendant.
Mr Buis allegedly took all the meth, leaving the woman empty-handed and out of pocket.
By July 21 last year, Ms Uren had threatened him with violence, without success, so contacted others in her social network in a bid to solve her problem.
The ruse she settled on was to have a mutual friend of theirs arrange to buy drugs from Mr Buis at Unity Park.
The trap was set.
Shortly before the proposed deal went down, Ms Uren called Mr Buis again about the drug debt.
A man she was with claimed the victim also owed him money and demanded immediate payment, threatening to involve a gang member to assist the recovery.
The enforcer — an Australian "501" deportee — had served time in prison for shooting someone, he told Mr Buis.
Once Ms Uren had been informed of the time for the Unity Park deal, the gang member was advised and he set off to confront the victim.
Meanwhile, Ms Uren also contacted Moore and told him where and when he could find Mr Buis.
As he arrived on the scene he saw the victim being chased by the gang member but lost sight of them as they ran across the grass.
After hearing gunshots, he turned the Ford around and drove quickly uphill.
As Moore did so, Mr Buis emerged from the darkness of the park.
"The defendant drove directly at the victim intending to knock him down so as to retrieve the money he believed was owed to him from the victim," the Crown summary said.
When Mr Buis reached the road, he tripped and was getting back to his feet when Moore hit him with the front left side of his car.
"The victim was low to the ground, which caused him to become pinned under the vehicle."
Mr Buis was dragged more than 4m, causing massive injuries: fractures to his jaw, spine, ribs, arm and leg, as well as lacerations to his lungs and kidney.
Later that evening, Moore returned the Ford and explained away the damage to its owner by saying he had "hit a dog".
Nearly a month later, the defendant was interviewed by police and admitted being behind the wheel.
He claimed not to know Mr Buis, said he was not involved in the supply of drugs and that he had only attended the scene because a woman said she needed help.
Moore remained in custody and will be sentenced in December.
Ms Uren was not charged in relation to the incident.
