Victim’s family told sentence will not be appealed

Lawrence Hugh Rangiwai

A family already outraged that the Gisborne woman responsible for the death of their elderly relative was spared prison have been told by Police there will not be an appeal of her sentence of home detention.

Stella Inia Maru, 26,  was sentenced last week to 12 months home detention for manslaughter and perverting the course of justice by Justice Grice in the High Court at Gisborne.

The court heard Lawrence Hugh Rangiwai, 73, known to his whānau as Larry or Uncle La, died in hospital on August 8, 2021, after suffering a fatal neck injury.

Earlier that day, daughter-in-law and caregiver Maru had pushed him into a glass ranch slider, following a series of assaults over about 20 minutes on the frail, cancer patient.

Mr Rangiwai’s eldest daughter Millie Rangiwai yesterday told The Gisborne Herald the family was “devastated” after  Police  told them the sentence would not be appealed.

“The justice system is a joke. We’re absolutely devastated. What sort of justice have we got in this country where a person can kill an old fella? There’s no justice.

“Physically and mentally, this has taken a big toll.”

After setting a sentence starting point of six years imprisonment, Justice Grice had given Maru a 67 percent sentence discount at the sentencing — 25 percent for guilty pleas, 12 for previous good character, 5 for remorse and 25 for personal circumstances, including children and cultural issues.

That resulted in sentences of 20 months imprisonment for the manslaughter charge and four months imprisonment for perverting justice.

The terms were converted to 12 months home detention to be followed by 12 months post-detention conditions.

The  family said  the sentence would not be appealed because the level of discounts given would make it too difficult.

“All they (police) said was it’s 67 percent and that’s quite high and we would have to prove everything the (defence) lawyer was saying was a lie.”

Ms Rangiwai said the family had been told it was free to fund an appeal on their own but that would cost thousands of dollars.

“It’s had a big impact on my aunty because that was her baby brother (and only living sibling). When we had to go back and tell her, it was heartbreaking.

“It’s not fair. She’s kept on with her life. Meanwhile, my dad is six foot under. As his oldest child it’s really quite devastating.”

Asked to comment, Clayton Walker, from Elvidge & Partners, the office of the Crown Solicitor for Napier and Gisborne, said there had been a misunderstanding and, in fact, there had been no decision.

“There is a process to follow when consideration is given to any appeal and it is not appropriate to make any further comment at this stage.”

Crown Law, which receives appeal requests from prosecuting agencies for the Solicitor-General to consider, declined to comment.

There is a 20-day time-frame for appeals to be requested.

See also:

https://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/news/outrage-as-killer-gets-home-detention