Two men convicted of manslaughter after arson kills elderly resident
An 82-year-old man died following a fire set at his Stokes Valley flat, and two men were found guilty of manslaughter and arson.
Ian David Moller, an 82-year-old retired resident of the Hanson Grove flats in Stokes Valley, suffered severe injuries when a fire was deliberately set at the building and died four days after the incident. The fire was part of a series of arson attacks on the block within a short period. A 41-year-old man from Naenae and a 34-year-old man from Stokes Valley were found guilty of manslaughter and arson, whereas a third defendant was cleared of murder, manslaughter and arson charges.
The court also mentioned a 24-year-old from South Wairarapa who pleaded guilty to earlier fires at the same property and will be sentenced later. Police highlighted the complexity of the case and thanked community members for their assistance, including CCTV footage. The two convicted men remain in custody awaiting sentencing.
Why it matters
The verdict holds arsonists accountable for a fatal attack on a vulnerable elderly resident.
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