Shaylene Wharerau, 22, closed her eyes and kept her head bowed as victim impact statements were read out in the High Court at Whangarei yesterday when she appeared for sentencing.
Wharerau stabbed Brandon Panapa Ripia, 17, during a dispute over a cellphone at an Onerahi house on October 30, 2012 and he died three weeks later while out shopping in Whangarei after a wound to his heart caused by the knife re-opened.
A jury in August found her not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter and Wharerau was sentenced to three years and two months in jail.
Victim impact statements were read out by Mr Ripia's mother, Lisa, elder brother Harry, stepmother Matilda Panapa, and great-grandmother Ruby Lewis.
Family and friends from both sides were there en masse, members of Mr Ripia's family shouting out loud, "Satisfaction," once Justice John Faire retired after delivering the sentence.
Lisa Ripia said her son died four days after her birthday and it had been hard for her to sit through and listen during Wharerau's trial.
Wharerau, she said, had shown no remorse despite taking away someone who was too young to die. She said a sentence of home detention would have been too hard for her to contemplate and a slap in the face.
"Don't care how long but she must do some time in jail."
Ms Lewis said Wharerau's failure to say three words -- "I am sorry" -- even while sitting beside Mr Ripia's casket at his funeral was most upsetting for the grieving whanau.
Harry Ripia said he'd never forgive Wharerau. "You took his life all over a stupid cellphone," he said.
Defence lawyer Arthur Fairley said people charged with murder or manslaughter were always advised by their lawyers not to talk to anyone while the legal process was under way. He read from a short letter written by Wharerau tendered in court asking Mr Ripia's family for forgiveness.
Mr Fairley submitted that home detention should be considered if a sentence of two years or less was arrived at by the judge.
Crown prosecutor Bernadette O'Connor argued against a non-custodial sentence.
Justice Faire said Wharerau was studying at NorthTec for a degree in Applied Social Science when she stabbed Mr Ripia. Numerous character.
By Imran Ali of the Northern Advocate
