The judge noted Zhang was born in China under the country’s one child policy and therefore counted his close friends as family. It was through this misguided loyalty that he had agreed to take part in helping his friend hide Wang’s body.
Justice Whata took time off Zhang’s sentence for his early guilty plea and previous good character. He sentenced the towel importer to six months home detention.
Court documents released to
Stuff show associates of Zhang told him about the murder in August 2017. He had also seen Wang’s body.
On August 21, 2017, Zhang and four others drove to an isolated spot on Rangipo Rd in the Taupō District.