Bassett Road machine gun murders

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The Bassett Road machine gun murders were the murders of two men with a .45 calibre Reising submachine gun on 7 December 1963, at 115 Bassett Road, Remuera, New Zealand.^[1] The crime was notable as the type of weapon used in the crime was previously unknown in New Zealand.

Frederick George Walker, a 38 year old commercial traveller, and Kevin James Speight, a 26 year old seaman, were found shot several times with large calibre bullets at the Bassett Road house. Both men were believed to be illegally trading in liquor. Scientific investigation identified the weapon used as possibly a .45 calibre machine gun. John Gillies and Ronald Jorgensen were arrested on 31 December 1963 and stood trial starting 24 February 1964. Both men denied charges of murder, although Gillies admitted acquiring a machine gun for his own protection. Both men were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment.^[1]

While in prison, Jorgensen took up painting and sold a number of his works. He was later paroled, moving to Kaikoura to live with relatives. Jorgensen vanished in mysterious circumstances in 1984, after his car was found wrecked at the bottom of a cliff.^[2] Police initially suspected that he faked his death, but later declared him legally dead.