Murder-accused back with mum
The mother of a 17-year-old youth jointly charged with murdering Wellington Radio New Zealand journalist Phillip Cottrell has got her son back after his release on bail, and says she is not letting him go.
Despite facing a murder charge, Manuel Penera Robinson was released yesterday into the care of his family, who say he is incapable of killing anyone. The teenager was wrapped up in his mother's arms and whisked away to a car.
Police opposed bail when Robinson appeared in Wellington District Court. But under the Bail Act, any alleged offender aged between 17 and 20 must be freed unless it is considered desirable to keep them in custody.
Robinson's uncle, Junior Kapene, a Black Power member from Masterton, received a text from Robinson's mother moments after his release.
"She's got her son back and she's not letting him go," he said.
"That's her baby. [His arrest] was like one of her nightmares came true. It was like losing a whole part of her."
Judge Stephen Harrop cleared the court for Robinson's bail hearing and suppressed details of it, but called relatives back for his decision. Family members called out "Thank you" and "Merry Christmas, Your Honour" as they left court.
Mr Kapene, who has also spent time behind bars, spoke to Robinson while the teenager was on remand in Rimutaka Prison in an "at-risk youth unit", giving him advice on how to survive on the inside.
He told him: "Think about all the wrong and the s... that you've done in your life. Your past, reflect on your future. It's really up to them."
Robinson is jointly charged with murder, along with Nicho Allan Waipuka, 19, who remains in custody and has not applied for bail. Mr Cottrell, 43, was brutally beaten in Boulcott St as he walked home from work about 5.40am on December 10.
He was found unconscious by a taxi driver but died in Wellington Hospital the next day from severe brain injuries. His wallet, thought to contain $ 80, was missing.
Mr Kapene told The Dominion Post: "I know he's innocent and hope the cuzzie [Waipuka] is too."
When they spoke on the phone, Mr Kapene did not ask his nephew about his innocence because "most of my family's phones are tapped - you know the routine".
He planned to make a surprise visit to the family last night and said: "I'll ask him when I'm looking at him.
"That's the way I'd rather have it. I just want him to tell me, to look me in the eyes. In my heart I hope he didn't do it."
Mr Kapene warned people against prejudging Waipuka and Robinson just because they had been charged. "People are innocent until proven guilty. Nicho, he's not a bad fella either. He's just been pointed in the wrong way."
He said the family planned to celebrate last night. "We're going to have a mean feed, bro. He wouldn't be liking that three toast and two Weet-Bix [in prison]."
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