Murder appeal launched

One of the men convicted in the wake of the Fleet double killings is set to launch an appeal against his conviction for murder. Zen Pulemoana, pictured, was found guilty of murdering James Fleet and guilty of the manslaughter of his uncle Raymond Fleet. He was convicted after a lengthy trial at the High Court in Rotorua on November 2 last year. The Court of Appeal has revealed Pulemoana entered an appeal on January 31 in relation to his murder conviction, though no date has been set for any possible re-trial. Pulemoana was sentenced to life with a minimum non-parole period of 14 years, while co-accused Mikaere Hura received six years after being found guilty of two counts of manslaughter. Two other men, Martin Hone and Richard Te Kani, were also sentenced to long terms of imprisonment for their role in the killings, which took place in the wake of a botched methamphetamine ‘cook.’ Hone was sentenced to life with a 20-year non-parole period after pleading guilty to two counts of murder, while Te Kani was sentenced to 15 years for two counts of manslaughter.