The man who set fire to a Wellington hostel, murdering five people, has been sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum non-parole period of 22 years.
Esarona David Lologa, 50, was found guilty after a five-week trial in September of lighting the deadly fire at Loafers Lodge in Newtown on May 16, 2023.
Five people died. They were Michael Eric Wahrlich, 67, also known as Mike the Juggler; Melvin Parun, 68; Kenneth Barnard, 67; Peter Glenn O’Sullivan, 64; and Liam James Hockings, 50.
Sentence revealed for man who set fire to Loafers Lodge, killing five - Watch on TVNZ+
At his trial, Lolaga unsuccessfully claimed a defence of insanity. His lawyers told the court it was voices that commanded him to light the two fires.
But the Crown said he knew lighting the fire was wrong, and he did so because he did not like living at the hostel.
In the end, the jury, of six women and four men, took 17 hours to decide Lolaga was guilty on five charges of murder and one of arson.
Another trial will likely begin next year, where four other people are facing charges of manslaughter in relation to the Loafers Lodge fire.
The charges came after an investigation into whether the state of the building and the management and compliance of its fire safety systems contributed to the fatal outcome.
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