Three charged over killing of young gang associate

Three men face charges over the killing of 16-year-old Black Power gang associate Wallace Whatuira in the Palmerston North suburb of Highbury last month.

The Manawatu Evening Standard reports that two men will appear in the Palmerston North District Court today: a 23-year-old unemployed Palmerston North man charged with murder, and a 28-year-old unemployed Palmerston North man charged with manslaughter.

A 26-year-old Porirua man will appear in the Porirua District Court on a manslaughter charge.

All three accused were arrested last night.

Mr Whatuira's body was found in the yard of a Conventry St house in Highbury early on the morning of February 6. He had been shot.