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A west Auckland boy has joined the ranks of teenage murderers after being found guilty of the slaying of a 14-year-old boy at a church dance in October, 2006.
Petani Fa'avae, now 17, was only 16 when he stabbed Manaola Kaumeafaiva, 14, outside Avondale College in west Auckland in what police called a "random act of fatal violence".
In the High Court in Auckland yesterday a jury took just over five hours to return with a guilty verdict on the murder charge, one charge of wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and two charges of assault with a weapon. Fa'avae was acquitted on one charge of assault with a weapon.
He was remanded in custody for sentencing on July 10.
The incident happened at a church dance at Avondale College. Another youth was stabbed in the arm.
Police said after there appeared to be no provocation and the victim died within minutes of being stabbed.
- NZPA
