Urewera: Decision on retrial delayed

Tame Iti, Urs Signer, Emily Felicity Bailey and Te Rangikaiwhiria were on trial in the High Court in Auckland. Picture / NZ Herald

A decision on whether to retry the "Urewera Four'' on the charge of belonging to an organised group has been delayed.

Following a trial in the High Court at Auckland that ended last month, Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara were found guilty of six firearms charges and not guilty of four.

Urs Signer was found guilty of five firearms charges and not guilty of five. Emily Bailey was found guilty of six firearms charges and not guilty of four.

They also faced a charge of belonging to an organised criminal group with objectives including murder, arson and using guns against police, but the jury could not reach a decision on the charge.

They were accused of being involved in military-style training camps after police raids in Ruatoki, Auckland and Wellington four years ago.

The Crown had been given a deadline of today to reach a decision on whether to retry to four on the charge but the matter was adjourned in the High Court to allow lawyers more time to consider their options.

A decision is expected next month, shortly before the four will be sentenced on firearms charges.

THE HIGH COURT TRIAL

* 88 witnesses for the Crown were to be called but after arrangements with the defence only about half appeared.

* The trial was set down for three months but the jury retired towards the end of the fifth week.

* The jurors received over 1300 pages of evidence and deliberated for 19 hours.