11 Mar 2014

Vow to bring more killers to justice

8:27 pm on 11 March 2014

Police investigating the murder of Christchurch woman Mellory Manning are promising to bring the rest of her killers to justice as they lock away the first person responsible.

Mauha Fawcett.

Mauha Fawcett. Photo: FAIRFAX / Pool

Mauha Fawcett, a 26-year-old Mongrel Mob prospect, was on Tuesday found guilty by a Christchurch High Court jury of the 2008 gang killing of the prostitute.

The jury of six women and six men retired at 12.30pm on Monday and returned its verdict shortly after 11am on Tuesday. Fawcett will be sentenced on May 1.

It had heard from 180 witnesses over about three-and-a-half weeks of Crown evidence pointing to Fawcett's involvement in the killing of 27-year-old Ms Manning on 18 December 2008.

The Crown's case against Fawcett was that he took part in a planned hit on Ms Manning because she owed money for a gang-imposed tax and her death was a part of his gang initiation.

Mellory Manning.

Mellory Manning. Photo: Supplied

Detective Inspector Greg Williams said Fawcettt's trial identified that there were others involved in Ms Manning's kidnap, beating and rape, and the dumping of her body in the Avon River. He said despite Tuesday's verdict, the investigation remains open.

"Clearly, we intend to continue to gather evidence. We do have a full profile of one of the offenders and I'm confident that eventually that person will be identified."

Mr Williams said he isn't sure when charges will be laid.

Mellory Manning's brother, Robin Manning, said on Tuesday he is ecstatic with the verdict, but it has been a long five years bringing the case to trial and the brutality of the evidence was worse than a horror movie to sit through.

Mr Manning said his sister was trying to clean her life up at the time of her death and she should never have gone through what she did.

Robin Manning.

Robin Manning. Photo: RNZ / Nicola Grigg

"The stuff that happened to Mellory was more than what I think the human mind can comprehend. It's just disgusting what they actually did to her. The stuff that happened to her shouldn't happen to anyone. She didn't deserve any of this."

Mr Manning said he wants to see the others involved brought to account for the safety of the public.

Detective Inspector Williams said the verdict would bring some measure of relief to Ms Manning's family and friends. He paid tribute to the family and promised to bring the rest of her killers to justice.

"To the family of Mellory Manning, I know that Mellory's death has created a huge hole for the family, but I want to pay particular tribute to their courage and patience through this five-year investigation."

Prostitutes Collective spokesperson Anna Reed said now that someone has been convicted of killing Ms Manning, she hoped people who know something will come forward.

"There are people that do know more about what actually happened to her, who have been scared to talk in the past and we're really hoping, as I'm sure the police are, that now that a conviction has been made, people will come forward more easily."

Ms Reed said she would be out on the streets on Wednesday night to talk to prostitutes about what they can do.