The family of a South Auckland man killed in his liquor store say his wife is shocked at verdicts handed down. A jury found one man guilty of murder, but cleared five others.
Navtej Singh, 30, died from single gunshot wound to his stomach the day after his Manurewa store was robbed at gunpoint on 7 June 2008.
The jury at the High Court in Auckland began deliberations at 2.30pm on Monday and returned with the verdicts on Thursday afternoon following a five-week trial.
The jury found 22-year-old Anitilea Chan-Kee, who pulled the rifle's trigger, guilty of murder and guilty of the aggravated robbery of the store.
Five other men were cleared of involvement in Mr Singh's death.
Jason Maseri, Myron Felise, Tino Felise, Eti Filoa and Walter McCarthy were found not guilty of murder or manslaughter. All were found guilty of aggravated robbery.
Anitilea Chan-Kee, Myron Felise and Jason Naseri had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated robbery.
All six have been remanded in custody for sentencing on 23 April.
A seventh man, Mefiposeta Chan-Kee, was found not guilty of being an accessory after the fact to murder and discharged.
A spokesperson for the victim's family, Daljit Singh, told Checkpoint that Mrs Singh is very upset that Anitilea Chan-Kee was the only man convicted of murder, but respects the jury and is now looking to the sentencing.
"She's not happy with the decision, but the community and family is absolutely law-abiding in this country and we do respect their decision."
Meanwhile, the lawyer for Myron Felise says his client is relieved at the verdict. Ron Mansfield says his client has been through an ordeal, but also acknowledged what the Singh family is going through.
"He's a young man who got caught up in something way beyond what he thought. He's very sad and upset by what eventuated and certainly very remorseful for his actions, and remains so."
