KEY POINTS:
The final chapter in the sorry tale of the death of Wanganui toddler Jhia Te Tua played out in the High Court at Wellington today with the sentencing of three men for her murder.
Hayden John Wallace, 27, and Karl Unuka Check, 26, were sentenced to life imprisonment
by Justice Warwick Gendall, who imposed a minimum non-parole period of 15 years for the murder of the toddler in a gang-related drive by shooting in May last year.
Wallace was also sentenced to three years to be served concurrently for being part of an organised criminal group.
Check was also sentenced to three years to be served concurrently for being part of an organised criminal group and six months for assault.
Ranji Tane Forbes, 21, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a 12 years six months non-parole period, as well three years for participating in an organised criminal group.
His vehicle was confiscated.
The trio were found guilty of murder after a five-week trial late last year.
Wallace was found to have been the one who fired the fatal shots into the Gonville home of Black Power member Josh Te Tua, killing two-year-old Jhia who was sleeping on the couch.
Check was the planner, and Forbes the driver, the court was told.
Two other men who changed their pleas part-way through the trial and were sentenced today.
Godfrey Muraahi pleaded guilty to manslaughter and taking part in an organised criminal group.
He was sentenced to 10 years six months in prison with a minimum non parole period of six years.
On the charge of being part of an organised criminal group he was jailed for three years to be served concurrently.
Erueti Nahona pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter, taking part in an organised criminal group, and assault.
He was sentenced to 10 years 3 months for manslaughter with a minimum non-parole period of six years.
On the charge of being part of an organised criminal group he was jailed for three years to be served concurrently. He was also jailed for six months for assault.
Richard Anthony Puohotaua, 28, was found not guilty of murder or manslaughter but was sentenced to three years for being part of an organised criminal group and had his vehicle confiscated.
The Crown said Wallace was prospecting to become a Mongrel Mob member and Check ordered him to carry out the shooting, but Wallace denied this.
Thirteen men were originally charged over Jhia's death, seven of them already dealt with by the courts.
Two men in the back seat of the car at the time of the shooting pleaded guilty to manslaughter early last year, and were sent to prison for seven years.
Four other men there on the night of the murder pleaded guilty to being part of an organised criminal group and were given sentences ranging from 18 months to just over two years.
Luke Check, charged with being an accessory, was found not guilty and walked free.
Security was tight at today's sentencing, with police wanting to ensure there were no clashes between the rival gangs and their supporters.
- NZPA
