Urewera four: two jailed

Tame Iti and Te Rangikaiwhiria Kemara have been sentenced to two and a half years on firearms charges in the Auckland High Court today.

The Urewera four were sentenced after earlier being found guilty on charges of unlawful possession of military-style firearms and Molotov cocktails at training camps held in the Urewera Ranges in 2006 and 2007 reports stuff.co.nz.

Sentencing for Urs Signer and Emily Bailey is adjourned.


Police at the scene of the Ruatoki raids in October 2007.

After a six-week trial earlier this year, all but Signer were found guilty of five charges of unlawful possession of firearms, and one charge of unlawful possession of a restricted weapon - Molotov cocktails.

Urs Signer was found guilty on four charges of unlawful possession of firearms, and one charge of unlawful possession of a restricted weapon.

Iti, Kemara and Bailey were found not guilty of four firearms charges, and Signer not guilty of five.

The jury was unable to decide on the most serious charge, participating in an organised criminal group.

Defence lawyers argued for discharges without conviction. Justice Hansen denied the applications. Convictions had already been entered and there was no jurisdiction to do otherwise.

The Crown argued for jail terms, saying the crimes were serious and the jury rejected the explanation that the camps were training venues for people wanting to work in the security industry.

Stuff.co.nz reports despite a "Dad's Army" aspect to the camps, their intent was serious and that a private militia was being established, says Justice Hansen.

If the jury accepted they were wanangas, the camps would have had a legitimate purpose and that would have been a legal defence.

The Crown will not be pursuing a retrial on the criminal group charge, citing cost and difficulty finding an impartial jury because of unprecedented media coverage.

8 comments

Illigal

Posted on 24-05-2012 14:07 | By Calm Gully

I hope they are not trying for a retrial! They broke the laws of this country (plain and simple) they need to pay the price, without further drain on $$$ and justice system. What part do they not understand? I am sure someone can clear up anything they do not understand.


One Sided Decision

Posted on 24-05-2012 14:28 | By Jitter

The decision to sentence the two obviously Maori defendants to jail and then possibly sentence the two "European" defendants to home detention for similar offences, does not appear equitable and will create a lot of controversy and ill feeling in some quarters around the country. My feeling is that they all should have been given similar sentences. This decision will give the NZ judiciary a definite racist taint. Not good.


In some countries you would face a firing squad for this

Posted on 24-05-2012 15:23 | By Scambuster

TOO little prison time too few people convicted and sentenced.It is as usual slap on hand with a wet bus ticket.This is not about possession of firearms it is far more sinister sh** than that.


when in doubt

Posted on 24-05-2012 16:04 | By tonyb1

When in doubt and all else fails pull the race card Was the jury all euro ? They broke the law and got what was required


Job well done

Posted on 24-05-2012 18:25 | By Batty

At last a result that means something and gives our police some credence for the work they do.Thank god.. As light as the sentence is at least it shows that up holding the law covers "everyone" in NZ and not to be manipulated by the racist card as is well used to lighten a blow in some quarters. Sorry but that is how I see it. About time..hard hand.


MOLOTOV USED FOR TROUT FISHING OR BUSH CLEARING ??

Posted on 25-05-2012 09:21 | By KAMIKAZE

Now Tuhoe want to sue the police.A better option fence them off and leave them all there to rot.More involved in this planned uprising than you would think. Nothing better to do with their time and Govt. handouts.


Happy campers nailed

Posted on 25-05-2012 10:10 | By ahfan

It`s great to see that unbiassed justice is alive and well in NZ and an unrepentant Police commissioner, apologising, to those innocents inevitably caught in the `cross fire`. The sack-fulls of money lavished on the accused for their defence by a regime which they were all too willing to `have a go at`and, of course, supplied by you and me, is likely to be tapped once more, if they appeal their sentences.How on earth anyone can exlain away being in possession of a Molotov cocktail, which is designed for one purpose only. This alone, in my opinion is enough to prove deadly intent.By Golo


Mov'n on

Posted on 25-05-2012 14:12 | By penguin

Now that true justice has been done according to the laws that govern us all, it is time for Iti's mates to stop complaining and get on with life. You never know but a bona fide security firm might even give them a real security job!


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