The parents of Daniel Ethan Smith, sentenced yesterday in the Timaru High Court for the manslaughter of William Lewis, always believed he was not a murderer.
His parents, Ian and Sue Smith, of Oamaru, have remained mainly silent since Daniel was arrested for the April 1, 2010, death of the Oamaru teenager and through his 2011 trial, when he was convicted of murder, the Appeal Court process in September, which overturned his conviction, and then his retrial last month, when he was convicted of manslaughter.
Mr and Mrs Smith told the Otago Daily Times they were pleased with the outcome of the second trial.
''The family has always believed that should have been the verdict at the first trial,'' they said.
The parents said they did not want to make any further comment.
