AUCKLAND (Pacnews) — The man found guilty of murdering a Samoan politician in Auckland has been sentenced to 10 and a half years in jail.
Vase Losefa Falaniko, 49, stabbed Su’a Atonio, who was in a relationship with Falaniko’s estranged wife.
In Oct. 2005 Falaniko pushed his way into his estranged wife’s Manurewa home with a concealed knife and stabbed Su’a Atonio, who was visiting from Samoa.
His niece, Maureen Moors, who was at the sentencing, had hoped for a longer jail term.
Falaniko read out a statement at his sentencing and apologized to the Samoan government, the slain MP’s electorate, his family, and New Zealand.