Nia Glassie's guilty mother 'devastated' over verdicts - lawyer

From left: Nia Glassie's mother Lisa Kuka, Wiremu Curtis, Michael Curtis.

William Curtis says his family is "down" but life must go on, after his two sons Michael and Wiremu were convicted of murdering three-year-old Nia Glassie.

Nia's mother Lisa Kuka was found guilty of manslaughter and failing to provide her with medical treatment.

Nia died from brain injuries at Auckland's Starship Hospital in August last year.

Speaking outside the High Court of Rotorua after the trial, Mr Curtis said Nia's death was a tragedy.

"Nia ...I feel sorry for Nia, what happened shouldn't have happened. But it's all gone," Mr Curtis said.

Lisa Kuka's lawyer Panama Le'au' Anae said the jury's verdicts "weren't unexpected".

"I'd imagine she (Lisa Kuka) would be devastated about the result," Mr Anae said.

"At the end of the day she's got to carry the burden of having lost her child and I don't think that's anything she'll be able to live down."

Mr Anae said he hadn't discussed an appeal with Kuka.

"Like I said in my summing up, Lisa made a big mistake in hooking up with this young man, he made some mistakes, no one's perfect ...some are bigger than others."

Kuka was the partner of Wiremu Curtis at the time of Nia's death.

Mr Anae said Kuka had spoken about Nia during the trial and it was clear she (Kuka) was upset at having lost her daughter.

Rotorua brothers Wiremu Curtis and Michael Curtis were visibly distraught as the verdicts were read out today, and had to be restrained by guards as they were found guilty of murder.

Oriwa Kemp and Michael Pearson were found not guilty of manslaughter, but Pearson was convicted of assault for wrestling moves on the child.

The Curtis brothers and Kemp were found guilty of spinning the child on a clothesline and the brothers and Pearson were found guilty of wilful ill-treatment by putting her in a tumbledryer.

There was little reaction from Kuka as she was found guilty of manslaughter.

A date for the five to be sentenced will be set later.

Over the past month the court heard details of abuse suffered by Nia in the months before her death.

Wiremu Curtis, who had been in a relationship with Kuka, 35, and his brother Michael Curtis, 22, had pleaded not guilty to murder.

Kuka, Michael Curtis's partner Kemp, 18, and Nia's cousin Pearson, 20, had pleaded not guilty to manslaughter.

All but Kuka were also accused of multiple, less serious offences.

The Crown alleged Nia suffered months of abuse at the hands of the accused but it was the Curtis brothers who delivered the fatal attack, kicking her in the head on the evening of July 20 last year.

The five last week declined to give evidence in their own defence.

- NZ HERALD STAFF, with NEWSTALK ZB