A good but "naive" man has avoided jail time after admitting to helping dump a body in wasteland in the central North Island and keeping quiet for years.
Zhang Yuzhen was sentenced in the High Court in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Patrice Allen
Zhang Yuzhen pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder, having helped hide the body of Wang Bao Chang, whose family thought he was overseas until he was found by police in a shallow grave near the Desert Road this year.
In August 2017, Zhang Yuzhen and others took an overnight drive in a three-car convoy from Auckland to the central plateau, stopping in the middle of nowhere in the dark on the Rangipo Intake Road.
It was not until early this year that a tipoff to police in March led to the discovery of Wang Bao Chang's body, covered in concrete in a shallow grave.
Bao Chang Wang whose family thought he was overseas until his body was found earlier this year. Photo: Supplied / NZ Police
At the High Court in Auckland today, Justice Whata outlined what happened that night.
"Mr Wang's body was transported to the burial site inside a freezer in the back of the van driven by one of your associates. A shallow grave was dug in wasteland directly beside Rangipo Intake Road, 450 metres from Desert Road. The body was placed in the grave and concrete was poured over the body."
He said they drove back to Auckland, then the next day returned to the site to dig a second, deeper grave and put the body in that.
Zhang, a qualified civil engineer born in China, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact to murder - helping to hide his body. Two other men are awaiting trial, charged with murdering the father-of-two.
'Cultural dimension to offending' - judge
Justice Whata said from the evidence he had, Zhang's actions were out of character. He was described as a hardworking family man, but Justice Whata said he was also naive for getting involved to help a close friend.
"Secondly, there is a cultural dimension to your offending. Born in China under the one-child policy, close friendships have assumed great importance to you. This is important because it was your misguided feelings of familial-like obligation to your closest friend in New Zealand that led to your offending."
He said Zhang wasn't motivated by ill-will or personal gain, and has learnt a harsh lesson not to always trust or help his friends.
"It is not a justification for what you have done. Deterrence of offending... remains a major consideration."
The mother of Wang Bao Chang's children was in court today.
His father, in China, had a heart attack on hearing of his son's death.
"[Wang's father] also explains that he has not told his wife about their son's death because of her poor health.
"He further explains how in Chinese culture parents raise their children so that children can look after their parents in old age, but that the death of their only son means this will not happen, nor will their son be able to raise his own children."
The maximum sentence for accessory after the fact to murder is seven years. Justice Whata found Zhang's previous good character, guilty plea, assistance to police, and comparatively small role in the events, should be taken into account.
He was sentenced to six months' home detention.
He's the second person to plead to the charge; Piao Yanlong was sentenced this year to 14 months in prison for his role.
The two men charged with murder are due to stand trial in July 2021.
