Turner v The Queen

The applicants appealed against their convictions and sentences for various charges related to the kidnapping and assault of Dawson Reihana, a member of a rival gang, by members of the Mongrel Mob Aotearoa gang in Christchurch. The applicants argued that there was trial counsel error and that their sentences were manifestly excessive. The Court of Appeal of New Zealand granted the applications for extensions of time to appeal and dismissed the appeals. The Court found that there was no trial counsel error as the counsel followed the instructions given by the applicants and the tactical decisions made were reasonable. The Court also found that the sentences imposed by the High Court were within the appropriate range and there was no basis to interfere with them.