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Tony Oscar Johansson
.
Kicked and punched 16 year old Benjamin Halaholo to death in December 1995 in central Auckland
Benjamin Halaholo
William Johansson
Filise Mafi
Francis Tapusoa
Asani Matulino
Tapaita Sinisa
none known
Born 1976
At large
Sentenced to four and a half years in December 1996
Released November 1999
Background
From NZ Herald story 12th December 1996
Five out of eight young people have been jailed for the “doubly tragic” manslaughter of the junior Auckland Warriors league player Benjamin Halaholo. The 16-year-old died after being repeatedly punched and kicked in the head near the Globe Tavern in Wakefield St, Central Auckland, early on December 21 last year.
Justice Elias delivered the sentences to a packed court room in the High Court at Auckland yesterday. About 60 relatives and friends of both Benjamin Halaholo and the eight people who attacked him were present.
The judge allowed some of the people standing in the gallery to move to sit on seats and on the floor of the area reserved for counsel. One woman sat in the jury box with reporters.
Filise Mafi, aged 20, student; Francis Tapusoa, 20, storeman; Asani Matulino, 22, process worker; Tony Oscar Johansson, 20, word processor all of Otara, were each sentenced to four and a half years’ imprisonment. A 19-year-old builder’s labourer, Nicholas Gregory Kisina, also of Otara, received a jail sentence of three and a half years.
William Logan Johansson, 19, unemployed of Otara, was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment suspended for two years and 10 months periodic detention; and a 21-year-old Onehunga solo mother, Tapaita Stephanie Sinisa, received six months’ jail suspended for 18 months and for months’ periodic detention. The eighth person, Latuata Benjamin Anae, 19, student, of Papatoetoe, was convicted and discharged on a charge of common assault:
Mafi, Kisina, Matulino, the Johansson brothers and Tapusoa had pleaded guilty to charges of manslaughter. Sinisa admitted a charge of assaulting Benjamin Halaholo with intent to injure. Tears flowed among the families of the prisoners and relatives of Benjamin Halaholo as the sentences were given.
Justice Elias said the incident was a double tragedy. “The deceased was a 16-year-old who had a promising life ahead of him. He was a humble, kind, loving, caring, honest and happy young man.” He was Falealoa Halaholo’s only son, and her life, the judge said. Now she felt she had nothing left. “It’s also tragic because you’re all young, with lives ahead of you. This will cast a shadow over you for the rest of your lives,” she told the prisoners.
A spokesman for the victim’s family, Mr Sione Tu’itahi, said the family was still devastated. “But we did not come here to avenge our loss. We’re here for love and affection for all those involved. “To an extend reconciliation has been achieved.” He said a plaque in memory of Benjamin would be cemented near where he died.
More is this story about the lead offender here
