Man jailed for life
But family believe there was another killer
The partner of a man bludgeoned to death by his friend has revealed she believes there’s a second killer out therewhohas gotaway with murder.
Hughie Ransfield, 59, was yesterday sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 14 years for the murder of Maui Haukamau on May 20 this year at a Te Ngae Rd house.
Ransfield made a full confession that he struck Haukamau about the head as hard as he could several times with ametal bar in an argument to do with money he believed Haukamau owed.
Haukamau’s partner of 23 years, Hira¯ina Hune-hona, spoke to the Rotorua Daily Post after the sentencing, saying there were unresolved issues and while the family were pleased Ransfield had been punished, they believed he wasn’t the only person in the room when Haukamau was bashed to death.
However, police say no one else was involved.
Hune-hona said Ransfield came to pick up her partner on the day he was killed but their grandchildren told them there was a second person in the car with Ransfield.
She said she believed Ransfield, who was of slight build, was too small to overcome her partner, who was 1.9m tall and physically fit.
“There was no way he could have done that and everyone knew it.”
Hune-hone said she had given police information, including the name of someone the family believed could have also been involved, but police only charged Ransfield.
Hune-hona said the family wanted to make their feelings known when delivering their victim impact statement in the court but were asked to
remove their theories from the statement.
“We had to suck it up . . . Maui’s story hasn’t really been told.”
Rotorua CIB leader Detective Senior Sergeant Mark Van Kempen said Hune-hone’s suggestions were thoroughly investigated but police firmly believed Ransfield was the only killer.
“It is incorrect. There were no other persons involved.”
He said every avenue, including
forensic dence, looked at.
“At the end of the day, he (Ransfield) confessed fully.”
At yesterday’s sentencing, Crown Solicitor Amanda Gordon said Haukamau would have been taken by surprise after enjoying a day drinking with Ransfield, someone he considered a friend.
“It was a frenzied eviwas
and
savage attack and involved that very high degree of brutality.”
More than 10 members of Haukamau’s family were present in court, with two members of the family standing behind Hune-hona, and Hakamau’s son, Tuwhakairiora Houkamau, holding their shoulders throughout the sentencing.
Hune-hona addressed Justice Christian Whata and read her victim impact statement while standing in front of a photograph of Haukamau.
She read her statement in Ma¯ori, which was translated into English. In it, she said he was a father of five and grandfather of 10.
She said he was a hard-working man, had great speaking capacity and had many skills which he passed on to his children.
“This has not been resolved yet. The blood of the father is still there in the garage.”
She said the family did not agree with the assertions being made about Haukamau.
“It is difficult to allow that to go forward at this time.”
The murder happened on the afternoon of May 20 when Ransfield went to Haukamau’s house. The pair bought a box of beer and some cannabis before returning to Ransfield’s home on Te Ngae Rd.
At 4pm, Ransfield asked Haukamau about the money he believed his friend owed, which was about $3500.
Ransfield grabbed a nearby piece of metal pipe and struck Haukamau in the head multiple times and the ferocity of the blows caused the metal pipe to break in two.
Therewasno way he could have done that and everyone knew it.
— Hira¯ina Hune-hona