New charge for man who accidentally shot teacher

Andrew Mears. Photo / Daily Post

A manslaughter charge has been laid against the man who shot and killed 25-year-old schoolteacher Rosemary Ives in Turangi last month.

Andrew Mears, 25, shot Ms Ives during a spotlighting trip.

She was brushing her teeth next to her boyfriend at a DOC campground, metres from a road.

Mears was spotlighting with three friends. He saw two lights in the bush which he thought were the eyes of a deer. Instead it was a head torch worn by Ives.

He had previously been charged with careless use of a firearm causing death.

The more serious charge of manslaughter was levelled on the advice of a Rotorua crown solicitor, who told police it was warranted.

The officer leading the investigation, Detective Senior Sergeant Todd Pearce, says it was right for police to seek further advice about the charge.

"The circumstances of Ms Ives death were different from what police normally deal with in most hunting related incidents and deaths, so it was important that additional advice and review was sought," Mr Pearce said.

"It is also appropriate that we consider the legal advice we receive, and act on it as we have in this instance."

The NZ Deer Stalkers Association had been pushing for Mears to be charged with manslaughter, to set an example to others.

- NZ Herald staff