Alleged murder of elderly Ōtāhuhu man described as prison-ordered 'hit gone wrong'

Alleged murder of elderly Ōtāhuhu man described as prison-ordered 'hit gone wrong'

An elderly South Auckland man was allegedly gunned down in his home in a prison-ordered "hit gone wrong", lawyers of the murder-accused have said in court.

The fatal shooting of rugby league coach and enthusiast Peter Rasmussen, 75, came days after Auckland was plunged into lockdown during the Delta outbreak in August.

It rocked the Ōtāhuhu community where he lived, especially those associated with his much-loved club, the Ōtāhuhu Rovers Rugby League Football Club, where he spent much of his time.

Yesterday, the alleged murder in Rasmussen's home was claimed to have been "very American in style" and "unprecedented in New Zealand" by one criminal barrister.

Killer Beez inmate shanks rival gang member after rape and death of his niece

Killer Beez inmate shanks rival gang member after rape and death of his niece

A Killer Beez inmate who shanked a rival gang member in retaliation for the death of his niece after she was raped by the Mongrel Mob has had his sentence reduced after the courts found the term of imprisonment was "manifestly unjust".

Power List: New Zealand's Top Criminal Barristers

Power List: New Zealand's Top Criminal Barristers

Some of New Zealand's top lawyers become household names for the high-profile cases and clients they are forever linked to in the public's mind.

While the country's industry is small by global standards there are still the heavy hitters who excel in the courtroom before a jury and judge.

A good defence lawyer or prosecutor can turn a case in their favour before a trial even begins and certainly before it ends.

Most of the country's legal fraternity is based in Auckland and Wellington, where many of the country's highest-profile criminal cases take place in the High Court.

Elite Women 2021- NZ Lawyer Magazine

Elite Women 2021- NZ Lawyer Magazine

RAISING THE BAR ON LEADERSHIP

Contributing one’s talent and energy to the legal profession while paving an equitable path for future generations is not easy. However, each of the 35 winners on NZ Lawyer’s Elite Women list has proven she can rise to the challenge.

Recognising the legal profession’s women leaders in this special report is part of NZ Lawyer’s goal to create a platform to highlight the views and experiences of these accomplished women.

Blake Lee murder: 4 Years added to sentence for punch that led to fatal attack

Blake Lee murder: 4 Years added to sentence for punch that led to fatal attack

A prisoner who took part in a fatal assault inside the country’s maximum security prison has had four years added to his prison sentence.

Lopeti Telefoni was sentenced for the manslaughter of Blake Lee at the High Court in Auckland on Friday, his 22nd birthday.

CCTV video of the March 2020 attack, inside an exercise yard, showed Telefoni drop Lee with a single punch before another prisoner, Siuaki Lisiate, repeatedly stomped on Lee’s head and stabbed him with a shank.

Leading Criminal Defence Lawyers – Auckland, 2021

The 2021 listing of leading Auckland Criminal Lawyers details solicitors and barristers practicing within the area of Criminal, Regulatory Offences & White-Collar Crime matters located in the Auckland area market whose and who have been identified by New Zealand’s Criminal law solicitors for their expertise and abilities in these areas.

Young man allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by influencer was 'easily manipulated', court told

Young man allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted by influencer was 'easily manipulated', court told

A social media influencer who allegedly drugged and sexually assaulted a young man was “very manipulative”, a court has heard.

On Thursday, numerous messages were shown to the complainant who accepted there was an element of flirting between the pair. The court also heard the complainant sent a photo of himself naked to the defendant.

The influencer, who has interim name suppression, has admitted assaulting the first complainant at a party in 2019 and possessing MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

Social media influencer confessed his love to sex assault complainant, court hears

Social media influencer confessed his love to sex assault complainant, court hears

A social media influencer accused of sexually assaulting two young men confessed his love to one of them and told people the pair were in a relationship, a court has heard.

The man, who has interim name suppression, has admitted assaulting the first complainant at a party in 2019 and possessing MDMA, also known as ecstasy.

However, he denies three counts of sexual violation, two charges of stupefying and three counts of blackmail.

Blake Lee murder trial: Two prisoners cleared of inmate killing, one man guilty of manslaughter

Blake Lee murder trial: Two prisoners cleared of inmate killing, one man guilty of manslaughter

Two prisoners accused of taking part in a fatal assault inside the country’s only maximum security prison have been found not guilty of Blake Lee’s murder, while another has been found guilty of manslaughter.

Lopeti Telefoni was found not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter, on Tuesday after a three-week trial at the High Court in Auckland.