Family pleased charges laid over inmate murder

The family of Tue Fa'avae, the inmate brutally killed in Auckland high security prison at Paremoremo last month, is pleased charges have been laid.

Five inmates were today charged with murdering Samoan-born Fa'avae, 23, whose body was found inside East Wing cell block in the prison on March 1.

Their arrests, along with that of a sixth inmate charged with being an accessory after the fact to murder, followed a month-long police investigation at the prison.

Reports said Fa'avae was repeatedly hacked and stabbed to death while at the prison. His injuries included stab wounds to the neck, and a hole in the side of his head.

His family's lawyer, Olinda Woodroffe, said the arrests were a relief.

"(The family) are pleased that the police acted promptly and they are happy that there are arrests within a month," Ms Woodroffe told NZPA.

"For that to happen really is a help to the family, particularly for his mother, who has not been in good health since his death."

Fa'avae's brother Falaniko was still extremely upset about his death and wanted questions answered about why his safety had not been protected in jail, she said.

Fa'avae, serving a five-year term for aggravated robbery, had gone to jail to serve a sentence for doing something unlawful, but had not gone to jail to be killed, his brother had told Ms Woodroffe.

"There is no capital punishment in New Zealand but he feels that his brother has effectively received capital punishment."

The attack occurred when Fa'avae was allowed out of his cell for an hour.

Three prison officers were suspended while the police investigation was carried out. It was unclear this evening whether they were still under suspension.

All six accused, aged between 19 and 28, will appear in the North Shore District Court tomorrow.

- NZPA