DeLuney trial: Defence argues no breakdown in relationship between accused and mother
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RNZ News
2 hours ago
- RNZ News
Elizabeth Smith pleads guilty to manslaughter in dispute over belongings
The High Court at Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers An Auckland accountant previously charged with the murder of a man after driving her vehicle into him during a dispute, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elizabeth Lynn Smith pleaded guilty before Justice Downs at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, after the Crown reduced the charge to manslaughter this week following a period of discussions. Smith and the victim Dean Fifield had previously lived together and were involved in an ongoing dispute over items Smith had claimed ownership over but were stored at Fifield's house, an agreed summary of facts stated. On 13 June 2024 Smith went to Fifield's house in West Auckland to recover property, with two associates who were there to help her. Smith and her associates got involved in a dispute with Fifield over the items in the driveway of the house. Smith's associates later reversed out of the driveway and stopped on the roadside, while Smith's car remained in the driveway facing the road. At one point, Fifield followed the associate's vehicle on foot and "began punching the associate's stationery vehicle with his closed fist, causing damage to the windscreen," according to the summary of facts. Subsequently, Smith drove her vehicle directly into Fifield, which propelled him onto the bonnet before falling under the front of Smith's vehicle. Smith continued to drive a short distance with Mr Fifield underneath her vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics. Smith is set to be sentenced in August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
3 hours ago
- RNZ News
Elizabeth Smith pleads guilty to manslaughter in property dispute
The High Court at Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Simon Rogers An Auckland accountant previously charged with the murder of a man after driving her vehicle into him during a dispute, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter. Elizabeth Lynn Smith pleaded guilty before Justice Downs at the High Court in Auckland on Wednesday, after the Crown reduced the charge to manslaughter this week following a period of discussions. Smith and the victim Dean Fifield had previously lived together and were involved in an ongoing dispute over items Smith had claimed ownership over but were stored at Fifield's house, an agreed summary of facts stated. On 13 June 2024 Smith went to Fifield's house in West Auckland to recover property, with two associates who were there to help her. Smith and her associates got involved in a dispute with Fifield over the items in the driveway of the house. Smith's associates later reversed out of the driveway and stopped on the roadside, while Smith's car remained in the driveway facing the road. At one point, Fifield followed the associate's vehicle on foot and "began punching the associate's stationery vehicle with his closed fist, causing damage to the windscreen," according to the summary of facts. Subsequently, Smith drove her vehicle directly into Fifield, which propelled him onto the bonnet before falling under the front of Smith's vehicle. Smith continued to drive a short distance with Mr Fifield underneath her vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene by attending paramedics. Smith is set to be sentenced in August. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
RNZ News
4 hours ago
- RNZ News
Group plead not guilty to killing Ian Moller in house fire
Ian David Moller, 82, died after an arson attack in November 2024. Photo: Supplied A group of men accused of setting fire to an Upper Hutt home which killed an elderly man have pleaded not guilty to murder and arson. Ian David Moller, 82, was critically injured when his Stokes Valley flat was set alight in November, and died four days later . It was the third arson at the Hanson Grove block of flats within a month. The first took place on 10 October, another on 14 October, and the third, after which Moller died, on 5 November. All of the fires started during the early hours of the morning. Three men, aged in their 20's and 30's, were charged with murder and arson, while a fourth man in his 20's was accused only of arson. They pleaded not guilty to all charges at the High Court in Wellington, and have been able to keep their names secret until a suppression hearing in October. Emergency services at the scene of a house fire on Hanson Grove in Lower Hutt's Stokes Valley on 5 November 2024. Photo: RNZ / Reece Baker Moller's niece, Denise Harrison, earlier told RNZ her family was "heartbroken" Moller had died in such tragic circumstances. "He was a very quiet man who went to church and spent time with his friends and he was never a bother to anybody," she said. "So to have his life ended so tragically is just completely heartbreaking for all of us." Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
