Gang member guilty of Black Power murder

Mongrel Mob member Jeremy Kevin Wilfred Hatley was today found guilty of the murder of Black Power associate Henry Waihape, who was fatally shot in the heart almost two years ago to the day.

Fellow Mongrel Mob member Kenneth Andre Te Kahu, 33, of Wairoa, was found guilty of Mr Waihape's manslaughter.

Hatley, 25, of Napier and Te Kahu were also found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice after police recorded conversations of them discussing how they could stop a key Crown witness giving evidence against them.

The Wellington High Court jury began deliberations at 2pm yesterday and returned verdicts at 2.45pm today.

Mr Waihape was shot as he travelled in a Black Power convoy out Wairoa to the gang's Frasertown headquarters, 8km north of the northern Hawke's Bay town.

A charge of murder against Wairoa Mongrel Mob president Rangi Wainohu Tamati, 44, was dismissed because of a lack of evidence.

Tamati pleaded guilty to conspiracy and will be sentenced with Hatley and Te Kahu in Gisborne on December 16.

- NZPA