Erueti Wirihana was sentenced to seven years in prison for the manslaughter of Eddie Peters [1].

The sentencing concludes a cold-case investigation into a death that occurred seven years ago [3]. The resolution provides legal closure for the family of the victim and addresses a long-unsolved killing in the Hastings community.

Wirihana, a convicted gang member, appeared in the Napier District Court to receive his sentence for the 2018 killing [1], [2]. The court proceedings focused on the violence that led to the death of Peters, a resident of Hastings [1].

During the sentencing, the victim's daughter, Sky Peters‑Prisk, delivered a statement to the court. She addressed the convicted man directly and said, "For years, I pitied you" [2]. She further said Wirihana was "just a pathetic little boy" [1].

The case remained unsolved for several years before Wirihana was found guilty of manslaughter [2]. The seven-year prison term reflects the court's judgment on the gravity of the 2018 offense [1].

“"just a pathetic little boy"”

This sentencing marks the resolution of a cold case that spanned seven years, illustrating the ability of law enforcement to secure convictions long after a crime has occurred. The involvement of a gang member in the killing highlights ongoing challenges with organized crime and violence within the Hastings and Napier regions.