Stab wounds went right through body

So savage was the attack that killed 15-year-old Michael Heremaia that two of the knife wounds went right through his body, a jury in the High Court at Auckland heard yesterday.

Pathologist Dr Timothy Koelmeyer said the youth had 37 stab wounds or cuts. Two wounds, which would have been fatal, entered the back and came out through the chest. He also received wounds to the scalp and hands.

Dr Koelmeyer said two knives and a machete-type instrument could have been used, but he could not exclude the possibility that all the wounds were caused by a single knife or other cutting implement.

Benjamin Red Tumahai has already pleaded guilty to murdering the youth in a King Cobra tinnie house in Mangere in November last year and wounding another man, Michael Afeaki, with intent to cause him grievous bodily harm.

James Michael Leuluaialii, aged 26, of Orakei, and Ofisa Andrew Kopelani, aged 23, of Mangere, have been charged with being involved in the murder. They are also accused of the attempted murder of Mr Afeaki or alternatively with wounding him.