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Source: ONE News -
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Parents are being urged to keep a closer eye on their children in the wake of Bruce Emery's manslaughter conviction.
The 50-year-old south Auckland businessman was found guilty of Pihema Cameron's manslaughter on Friday, but not his murder.
He stabbed the 15-year-old after catching him tagging early one morning in January.
Manurewa area councillor Daniel Newman says parents need to think about where their children are at night and what they're doing.
He says it is not acceptable for teenagers to be wandering the streets smoking cannabis, drinking alcohol and tagging private property.
However, Newman says he does not condone Emery's actions - yet says he does not know what he would do in the same situation, were someone damaging property and posing a risk to the community.
Meanwhile, locals say graffiti is no longer a problem in Bruce Emery's Manukau neighbourhood.
Leitioa Peapea lives across the road from the Emery family, and says most kids have stopped writing their tags all over everyone's property.
She says she thinks everyone has learnt their lesson.
Peapea also testified to Emery's character, saying he is a kind man who always used to help her family out.
However, the dead teen's family were slightly disappointed at the verdict, having hoped for a murder conviction.
Emery's family are not commenting on the verdict. He will be sentenced on January 13.
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