Lawyer ‘failed

Latest hearing says Atiamuri killer had fair representation in Court of Appeal

An Atiamuri man who punched and kicked his partner to death and struck her with an iron pole has tried to get his appeal heard again on the grounds he believed his lawyer didn’t do a good job.

James William Te Hiko was found guilty in April 2017 of murdering 41-year-old Queenie Karaka, known as Nina Thompson, in April 2016 at Atiamuri.

He was sentenced by Justice Murray Gilbert to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 17 years on June 10, 2017.

Despite Thompson being unconscious after being punched and kicked more than 70 times and fighting for her life, Te Hiko chose not to seek medical attention for her.

Te Hiko appealed his conviction and sentence to the Court of Appeal and it was dismissed. Te Hiko then sought a re-hearing of the appeal, primarily on the grounds of alleged shortcomings by the lawyer, Daniel Gardiner from Auckland, who represented him at the appeal.

A recently released Court of Appeal decision given by Justice Christine French on behalf of herself, Justice Cameron Mander and Justice

Rachel Dunningham declined the application for the appeal to be heard again and disagreed with comments made about Gardiner’s handling of the case.

Te Hiko admitted manslaughter but argued he lacked murderous intent because he was impaired by alcohol and drugs at the time of the killing.

The decision said Te Hiko gave evidence during the trial, saying he was addicted to methamphetamine and alcohol and was seeking treatment.

He explained he had a safety plan