The revelation that a convicted murderer was able to orchestrate a deadly attack from jail raises serious questions about security in the nation's prisons.
The brother of a man murdered execution style by Joseph Russell Rewiri, who went on to orchestrate the attack of a Tauranga man from jail, has asked for an inquiry into how the dangerous inmate got access to a cellphone.
Rewiri was sentenced in February 2008 to life in prison with 14 years' non-parole for the murder of Rotorua man Peter Franklyn. Three-and-a-half years later, Gary Kimura was killed by a man sent to his home by Rewiri, who last week pleaded guilty to manslaughter.
Te Puke man Witeri Neketai was this week found guilty of the murder. During this most recent trial it was revealed Rewiri instructed Neketai through text messages to "hammer" Mr Kimura, who died after a punch knocked him to the ground and his skull was fractured.
The visit was to collect a $31,000 drug debt.
