Stepfather guilty of toddler's manslaughter

A jury in the Whangarei trial of drug dealer Kyle Skerten has found him guilty of the manslaughter of his 15-month-old stepson.

Skerten, 23, of Kerikeri, denied murdering Riley Osborne, who died from head injuries after allegedly being struck by his stepfather in late 2008.

The jury returned for direction after it had been out for around six hours, then deliberated for about another three hours. It found Skerten guilty by an 11-1 majority.

Earlier, Justice Hugh Williams gave jury members permission to return a majority verdict when it became evident they might not be able to reach a unanimous decision.

The Crown in the High Court in Whangarei said Riley suffered a fracture to the base of his skull which led to brain injuries from which he died at Auckland's Starship Hospital.

The defence claimed that the Crown could not prove that the injury was inflicted by Skerten as there were other adults in the Kerikeri house on the night that Riley was injured.

Skerten had previously pleaded guilty to multiple drugs offences including supply and possession of pseudoephedrine for manufacturing methamphetamine.

- NZPA, NEWSTALK ZB