Craig Kapitan
Criminal Justice Reporter at New Zealand Herald
Courthouse reporter for @nzherald in Auckland. Former criminal justice editor/reporter for the San Antonio Express-News in Texas, and ex-TVNZ homepage editor.
Articles
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5 days ago |
nzherald.co.nz | Craig Kapitan
Authorities said Francis Smith's victim called him back after receiving a text from an unknown number stating, “I need to speak to you, I have some information you will be interested in”. Francis Joseph Smith’s prison sentence for threatening a witness was reduced to six months’ home detention. Smith, 61, pleaded guilty to attempting to obstruct justice after his son’s arrest for indecent assault.
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6 days ago |
newstalkzb.co.nz | Craig Kapitan
Watesoni Nacagilevu was sentenced to prison for drug smuggling and money laundering. He admitted to participating in approximately $3 million in money drops, handing over duffel bags full of cash. Judge Kirsten Lummis allowed a substantial sentence reduction for his co-operation with police. Church-going bank employee Watesoni Nacagilevu once featured in an online ad for ASB, showcasing his virtuousness and lamenting how he believed the media portrayed people with his cultural background.
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6 days ago |
nzherald.co.nz | Craig Kapitan
Watesoni Nacagilevu was touted in a 2019 ASB Bank ad as a valued employee grounded in religion and culture. But he was leading a secret life, a court learned at his sentencing for helping launder an estimated $3 million for a drug syndicate. Photo / SuppliedWatesoni Nacagilevu was sentenced to prison for drug smuggling and money laundering. He admitted to participating in approximately $3 million in money drops, handing over duffel bags full of cash.
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1 week ago |
nzherald.co.nz | Craig Kapitan
Jayden Antonio Cook, 27, was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering 60-year-old Talini Manu. Cook, who was blackout drunk, also assaulted a 50-year-old and his brother during the incident. Justice Andrew Becroft emphasised the need for deterrence, describing the violence as “senseless” and “mindless”. A rough sleeper who beat a 60-year-old to death after waking up “highly agitated” at a South Auckland bus stop still doesn’t know why he lashed out.
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1 week ago |
nzherald.co.nz | Craig Kapitan
Shu Man Poon was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of imprisonment of 19 years, for the murder of Fuk-Fu Joseph Kwok and Mei Han Chong. Poon pleaded guilty to the November 2023 killings,Suppression orders remain until co-defendant Lok Fung Lorrence Li’s retrial in August 2026. One of the two men charged with double murder following the high-profile deaths of an Ellerslie couple two years ago returned to court today as he was sentenced to prison.
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Authorities allege prison inmate accused of escape was found with shotgun, ammo. https://t.co/S0DQDKnUjA
Name suppresssion lapses and charge upgraded to murder for Panmure stabbing case. https://t.co/MdTYgmnxkw
Man accused of refusing to wear mask at pharmacy, spitting on essential workers. https://t.co/4ANu0hyOFa