A Tokoroa man who stomped and kicked another man to death has been jailed for life but will be eligible for parole in 10 years.
Richard Harry Hakaraia, 25, was found guilty in a Rotorua court last month of murdering Tokoroa man Jaden Marcus Paora, 31, on June 15 last year at Tokoroa.
In the High Court at Auckland yesterday, Justice Colin Nicholson said no application had been made for Hakaraia to serve a minimum non-parole term greater than the 10 years which accompanied a life sentence.
He said his view was that a non-parole period of greater than 10 years was not appropriate.
The judge said the crime was a tragedy for all concerned. It was tragic for Mr Paora because he had lost his life, for his family who had lost a son and for Hakaraia's family because he faced an inevitable term in prison.
During Hakaraia's trial, defence lawyer Stuart Grieve, QC, said the accused admitted he was guilty of manslaughter but not murder. He had neither intended nor contemplated death but accepted that by assaulting Mr Paora he was responsible for his death.
The court was told Mr Paora was punched, kicked and stomped on more than 15 times and left to die in an alley.
Mr Grieve told the court during the trial that the facial injuries were not necessarily fatal and that Mr Paora died from asphyxiation.
He told the court yesterday that Hakaraia's mother and other members of his family had met Mr Paora's family "so the restorative justice process has been undertaken".
Mr Grieve said Mr Paora's mother was at the trial from time to time to support Hakaraia's family.
- NZPA
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.
Latest from New Zealand
Armed police, bomb squad find 'item of concern' at Christchurch property
Neighbour says he was evacuated from his home after "device" was found.