Woman hid evidence linked to Featherston murder

Masterton woman Cassandra Granich, 23, appeared in the Wellington High Court earlier this month for sentencing on a charge of being an accessory to the alleged murder of Featherston man Glen Jones.

A Masterton woman was convicted of being an accessory to an alleged murder after she threw away a pair of shoes belonging to a man who has been charged in the death of Featherston supermarket worker Glen Jones.

Glen Jones, 40, was fatally injured after he was beaten in his home on January 12. He died hours later in Wellington Hospital from head injuries received in the attack.

Matthew John McKinney, 28, Hayden Ranson, 27, Kristofer Lee Jones, 23, and Tariana Hineteanaurangi Jones, 32, charged with murder and aggravated burglary, are expected to stand trial in March and will appear for a pre-trial hearing, on December 2, in Wellington High Court.

Toni Miller, 22, charged only with aggravated burglary, will also attend the pre-trial hearing.

Cassandra Lynn Granich, 23, a printing factory worker, appeared in the Wellington High Court earlier this month for sentencing, having pleaded guilty to the charge at an earlier appearance.

Justice Ronald Young said on January 11 Granich was socialising with the group who have since been charged with murder. The group drove to Jones' house in Featherston. Granich stayed outside.

She returned to Masterton and the next day someone arrived at her home and asked her to get rid of a pair of shoes. Granich initially said she wanted nothing to do with it but took the shoes, held her sleeves over her hands to make sure she wasn't linked to the shoes herself, walked to the back of the property and into a neighbouring property and threw one shoe down by a shed and the other in the opposite direction.

Justice Young said Granich knew the person had worn the shoes at the time of the alleged assault on Jones, knew the shoes would be of interest to police investigating Jones' death and might contain important forensic evidence.

He said Granich had been remorseful when she was spoken to by police and had said it was a spur-of-the-moment thing and that she did not intend to destroy the shoes.

She later helped police find one of the shoes but the other was not found.

Justice Young said being an accessory to any crime was serious, but was especially serious in this case as she was an accessory to an alleged murder.

"You have helped one of those charged with murder to hide potential relevant forensic evidence.

"But a significant feature in your case is the fact that you co-operated with the police, and that they have found most of the evidence you tried to hide."

He sentenced her to five months' community detention, to be served Monday to Friday, 7pm to 5.30am and Sunday. Granich was also given 150 hours' community work, which she will do on Saturdays.

Justice Young said the sentence would allow Granich to continue work, which was in the community's interest.

He also imposed 12 months' supervision, with conditions she undertake and complete a programme or counselling or treatment for alcohol and drug abuse to the satisfaction of probation.