Riki Mafi

Wellington, Feb 24 NZPA - A 26-year old man has been found guilty in the High Court at Auckland today of the murder of a teen in south Auckland in September 2006.

The Crown alleged Jeffrey Alailima Key bludgeoned Riki Mafi, 17, to death in an attack in Otara town centre.

It said Key struck Mr Mafi so hard with a baseball bat that he felled him, and that he then kicked him before being dragged off by other members of his group.

Defence counsel Marie Dyhrberg had argued that Key did not have murderous intent and there was reasonable doubt whether he struck the fatal blow.

Ms Dyhrburg told the jury yesterday that there was strong evidence to suggest Key was not the only member of a group that approached Mr Mafi that night who was swinging a baseball bat.

NZPA WGT kk gt