Webber, a patched member of the Nomads gang, stabbed Heappey to death on December 8, 2018 over a perceived debt and for failing to “collect his punishment” from the gang. It is not unusual for a convicted murderer to be sentenced to life imprisonment, but in Webber’s case there were aggravating circumstances to be considered. At the time of the sentencing, Webber had already been sentenced for four different strike offences, receiving strike warnings for two of them. A strike offence is a serious offence identified by law as “strikeable”, meaning it is subject to the three strikes law. The three strikes law was introduced to increase penalties for repeat offenders of serious violent and sexual crimes.
Dunedin killer doctor Venod Skantha s appeal fails, Amber-Rose s family welcome decision
14 Apr, 2021 06:20 PM
3 minutes to read
Dunedin doctor Venod Skantha found guilty of murder of Amber-Rose Rush. Video / ODT
Otago Daily Times
After a nerve-racking few months, the family of murdered Dunedin teen Amber-Rose Rush are breathing sighs of relief after her killer s appeal bid was tossed out.
The Court of Appeal yesterday took the rare step of stating it was satisfied the evidence in the case proved doctor Venod Skantha s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.
In a 44-page decision roundly dismissing the appeal, the court upheld Skantha s convictions for murdering the teen in 2018, and for threatening to kill four people to secure the silence of a witness.
Jury hears evidence in Azalia Wilson murder trial
17 Mar, 2021 06:14 PM
3 minutes to read
Samuel Moses Samson is on trial in the High Court at Invercargill. Photo ./ Otago Daily Times
Otago Daily Times
Blood and DNA of slain woman Azalia Wilson were found on a man s shoe in a car allegedly connected to the man accused of her murder.
At the trial of Samuel Moses Samson yesterday, ESR forensic scientist Gary Gillespie told the jury his findings following the examination of several blood spots, swabs and material collected at the motel and vehicles related to the case.
The trial before Justice Gerald Nation in the High Court at Invercargill started last week after Samson pleaded not guilty to the murder of Miss Wilson at the Bavarian Hotel in Invercargill on November 17, 2019.