A 14-year-old boy has been found guilty of manslaughter but acquitted of murdering 16-year-old Enere Taana-McLaren in Dunedin last year.
The verdict was delivered unanimously in the High Court after a two-week trial and over two days of jury deliberation.
The then 13-year-old killed Taana-McLaren during a confrontation at a central city bush hub, with the Crown arguing he initiated the attack to maintain his “gangster persona,” while the defence claimed he acted in self-defence, fearing for his safety.
Graphic CCTV footage showed the altercation escalating quickly, ending with the fatal stab wound that pierced 10-12 centimetres into Taana-McLaren’s abdomen. A date for sentencing is to be set down.
Image credit: Donovan Kelly
Stabbing someone with a knife until they’re dead is MURDER, split all the legal definition hairs you want.
He should be charged as an adult and punished accordingly.
But who are we kidding, this is NZ so he’ll be sentenced to a cup of warm cocoa and a social worker.