The mother of an American PhD student who was killed by a group of teenagers with a machete says they will one day be able to move on with their lives but her family has a life sentence.
A jury at the High Court in Auckland last night found the teenagers guilty of aggravated robbery and the manslaughter of Kyle Whorrall.
Carole Whorrall said she was relieved at the verdicts.
"Kyle was a brilliant young American with a bright future, who came to New Zealand to chase his passion as an entomologist studying local beetles.
"Already holding two degrees and working hard on his PhD, he was a beloved son, brother, nephew, cousin, colleague, and friend. He came here to make a real difference in the world, not to become a statistic, and our focus is entirely on honouring his amazing life."
Whorrall said the justice system moved its focus to sentencing while her family faced a tough future.
"The people who did this will eventually move on from their legal troubles, but for us, the grief of losing Kyle is a life sentence with no possibility of parole."
She paid tribute to her son's friends and flatmates who sat beside her through out the High Court trial.
A fifth teen pleaded guilty to murder and aggravated robbery before the trial.
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