7 Aug 2017

Man jailed for Manning murder has conviction overturned

4:58 pm on 7 August 2017

A man jailed for his part in the violent death of a Christchurch sex worker in 2008 has had his murder conviction quashed.

Mauha Huatahi Fawcett on trial for murdering Mellory Manning, in the Christchurch High Court.

Mauha Fawcett on trial in the High Court in Christchurch in 2014 Photo: FAIRFAX / Pool

Mellory Manning's body was found dumped in the Avon River in December 2008.

Mellory Manning.

Mellory Manning Photo: Supplied

In 2014, Mongrel Mob prospect Mauha Fawcett was sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 20 years for his part in the murder.

At his sentencing, Justice Gendall told him there couldn't be a clearer case of cruelty, depravity and callousness.

Police confirmed a new trial has now been ordered, but would not comment further as the case was returning to court.

Ms Manning's brother, Robin Manning said it would be tough to listen to the evidence again when her murder-accused is retried next month.

"It's always tough. I think like I previously said, it's worse than the worst horror that you can think of, some of the injuries that happened to her."

After his sentencing in 2014, police said the conviction was not the end of the investigation, as others were involved in Ms Manning's death, but nobody else has been charged over the crime.

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