Rakai Thompson Acquitted of Murder, Found Guilty of Manslaughter

A young man, Rakai Jacob Thompson, has been acquitted of murder but found guilty of manslaughter for the death of his friend, 17-year-old Te Omeka Pairama Akariri-Buckley. The trial took place in the High Court at New Plymouth, with jury deliberations concluding today. Closing addresses were presented by both the Crown and defense before the jury reached its verdict. The courtroom was filled with family members from both sides as the outcome was revealed.

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