Man who shot neighbour found guilty of murder

A man who claimed he shot his neighbour in self-defence has been found guilty of murder.

Robert Oakley, of Kawerau, killed Dawson Osman on August 28 last year at his house in Kawerau.

Oakley admitted pulling the trigger of the gun that took Mr Osman's life but denied it was murder on the grounds his actions were self-defence.

Mr Osman had been drinking for most of the day with his partner's brother, Beaudine Ngaeheu, at his house.

Later in the afternoon Mr Osman met Oakley, his neighbour, for the first time and invited him over for some drinks.

They later went to Oakley's house to drink his home brew when what started as a happy occasion, turned into a drunken shooting.

Oakley didn't like being hugged by Mr Osman and started swearing, retreating to his bedroom where his rifle was.

When Mr Osman walked down the hallway to calm Oakley down, Oakley fired a warning shot.

As Mr Osman walked through the bedroom door, Oakley shot him through his heart, killing him.

In the High Court at Rotorua yesterday Justice Mark Cooper remanded Oakley in custody for sentencing on August 19.

- DAILY POST (ROTORUA)