The man jailed for the killing of a 14-year-old South Auckland cannabis dealer has successfully appealed his murder conviction and will face a new trial.
The Court of Appeal, in a decision released today, has quashed Nathan Williams' convictions for murder and assault with intent to injure and ordered a new trial.
The court suppressed the reasons for its decision.
John Hapeta, 14, was killed when hit over the head with a hammer in 2008 after two men armed with a gun and a hammer gatecrashed a birthday party at his family home in Weymouth, south of Auckland.
Williams was last year sentenced to life in prison with a minimum non-parole period of 14 years. Daniel Tumata was also jailed for nine years and nine months.
The Court of Appeal said Williams' bail appeal should be dealt with by the High Court.
