Global InformationTeina Pora information
Teina Pora is a New Zealander who was wrongfully convicted of murdering Susan Burdett when he was aged 17; he served time in Paremoremo prison from 1994 for the crime, until he received parole in 2014.[1]
In 1992, 39-year-old Burdett was raped and murdered in her home in Papatoetoe, Auckland. She was repeatedly struck in the head with a softball bat. About a year later, Pora who was a "Mongrel Mob prospect" at the time,[2] was arrested on other charges and claimed he was there when the murder happened. He was subsequently convicted of rape and murder in 1994.[3][4] Pora appealed his conviction, but in 2000, was found guilty for the crime a second time. After spending 20 years in prison, Pora was released on parole in April 2014.[5]
However, he maintained his innocence and the convictions were quashed by the Privy Council in March 2015, notably being the last ruling rendered by the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with respect to an appeal from the courts of New Zealand. On 15 June 2016, he was awarded NZ$2.52 million compensation and received a government apology for being wrongfully convicted of rape and murder.[6]
- ^ Teina Pora granted parole, tvnz.co.nz; accessed 16 March 2019.
- ^ "Bid to overturn murder conviction - National News | TVNZ". Archived from the original on 2 February 2014.
- ^ 'Innocent man' in jail 20 years, www.nzherald.co.nz; accessed 16 March 2019.
- ^ Reasonable doubts
- ^ Teina Pora released from prison, New Zealand Herald, 14 April 2014
- ^ "Teina Pora compensation: Justice Minister Amy Adams confirms $2.52 million payout". The New Zealand Herald. 15 June 2016. Retrieved 15 June 2016.