Reuben v R

The Court of Appeal of New Zealand heard appeals from two prisoners, Mr Reuben and Mr Tihi, who were involved in an assault on another prisoner that resulted in his death. Mr Reuben appealed against his sentence for manslaughter, arguing it was manifestly excessive. Mr Tihi appealed against his conviction for murder, contending that letters he wrote to his family after the assault should not have been admitted as evidence and that there was a breach of section 32 of the Evidence Act 2006 by the prosecutor, which the Judge did not correct in his summing-up. The Court of Appeal allowed Mr Reuben's appeal against his sentence, finding that a discount for his youth and his offer to plead guilty to manslaughter should have been allowed. The Court substituted a sentence of six years and six months imprisonment with a minimum period of imprisonment of three years and three months. The Court dismissed Mr Tihi's appeal against his conviction, finding that the letters were admissible and that any potential breach of section 32 of the Evidence Act 2006 did not result in a miscarriage of justice.