The High Court in Auckland heard Pora’s emotional testimony as he described the death of 19-year-old Rua-Tuaou as a terrible accident. He insisted he was only trying to get his drunk girlfriend safely home. She had consumed so much alcohol at her father’s house that she would have been significantly over the legal driving limit.
Jurors deliberated for eight hours over two days, ultimately clearing Pora of manslaughter but convicting him of kidnapping and failing to permit a blood specimen. Pora had already pleaded guilty to driving while his license was revoked.
Prosecutors Henry Benson-Pope and Cam Fountain painted a grim picture of a violently jealous boyfriend whose accusations of infidelity drove Rua-Tuaou to open the car door on a motorway in a desperate attempt to escape. They argued that Pora had taken Rua-Tuaou against her will, resulting in her death due to a “fright response.”
The court heard how Rua-Tuaou initially got into the parked car willingly due to their long-term relationship. However, the situation quickly escalated when Pora began accusing her of cheating, leading to her screaming and trying to get away as her family looked on in horror.
Pora’s defense team, led by Vivienne Feyen and Holly Aitken, argued that Rua-Tuaou was highly intoxicated and had a history of unpredictable behaviour when drunk. They contended that Pora was simply trying to get her home safely and that her actions were influenced by alcohol and cannabis.
Witnesses for the defense described previous incidents where Rua-Tuaou had tried to exit moving vehicles, not prompted by fear or violence but by her erratic behaviour when intoxicated.
The prosecution highlighted previous violent incidents between the couple, including one where Rua-Tuaou feared for her life. Text messages presented in court showed a pattern of Pora’s aggressive and possessive behaviour.
The jury was particularly moved by a 111 call made by Rua-Tuaou’s cousin, who described her desperate screams for help as Pora drove away. Despite the defense’s attempt to dismiss the call as confused, jurors requested to hear it again during deliberations.
With the kidnapping conviction, Pora now faces a potential 14-year prison sentence. His sentencing is scheduled for August. Until then, Justice Mathew Downs has ordered Pora to be held in custody after it was revealed he had inappropriately contacted a Crown witness.
