-
Jhia Te Tua - Source: ONE News -
Related
Security is expected to be tight at the High Court at Wellington on Friday for the sentencing of the final six men involved in the gang-related drive-by shooting of Wanganui toddler Jhia Te Tua.
Two-year-old Jhia was shot and died while sleeping on the couch in the Gonville home of her father, Black Power member Josh Te Tua, last May.
Thirteen men were orginally charged over her death. Six were sentenced last year after entering guilty pleas to a variety of charges.
A seventh, Luke Check, was found not guilty of being an accessory and walked free.
Hayden John Wallace, 27, Karl Unuka Check, 26, and Ranji Tane Forbes, 21, will be sentenced on Friday by Justice Warwick Gendall after being found guilty of her murder at the end of a five-week trial in December.
Wallace was found to have been the person who actually fired the fatal shots from a passing car.
Check was the planner, and Forbes the driver, the court was told.
The Crown claimed Wallace was prospecting to become a Mongrel Mob member and that Check had ordered him to carry out the shooting, but Wallace denied this.
Godfrey Muraahi and Erueti Nahona, who pleaded guilty to lesser charges part-way through the trial, will also be sentenced on Friday.
Muraahi pleaded guilty to manslaughter and taking part in an organised criminal group and Nahona pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, taking part in an organised criminal group, and assault.
Both were originally charged with murder, and an assault charge against Muraahi was also dropped.
Richard Anthony Puohotaua, 28, was found not guilty of her murder or manslaughter but will be sentenced for being part of an organised criminal group.
Latest NZ News Video
-
Kiwi speaks to TVNZ7 from Everest base camp (1:59)
-
Immigration advisor Bill Milnes discusses claims (4:34)
-
Dance to save Shakti service (0:41)
