Youth shot sister 'in fit of temper’

Press, 16 October 1976, Page 2

Youth shot sister 'in fit of temper’

PA Gisborne A 16-year-old boy, who shot and killed his 14-year-old sister “in a fit of temper” at Waihau Bay, 200 kilometres from Gisborne, on the east coast, was sentenced to three years gaol when he appeared for sentence in the Gisborne Supreme Court yesterday. Sydney Walter McCann Ranapia had pleaded guilty in the Opotiki Children and Young Persons Court to killing Vivienne Jane Ranapia by unlawfully discharging a firearm at her on August 27. He appeared before Mr Justice Mahon, who told him the sentence would be served in a borstal or youth prison. His Honour said the needs' of public justice had to be| observed, and this meant the:

boy had to be sent to prison. This was a case of a young man, in a fit of temper, shooting his sister dead. There had been no psychological disturbance. The boy lived with his mother and other members of his family at a remote part of the east coast, his Honour said. In 1974 he took the keys to a truck, and, while driving it at high speed, capsized it and killed his brother, who was a passenger. He had been convicted in the Children’s Court on that occasion for careless driving causing death, and admitted Ito Social Welfare Departjment care. On the morning of August 27 he went shooting in the bush, and when he returned home his 14-year-old sister

! passed a derogatory remark about his shooting ability, and the fact that he had shot only a pair of tuis. The boy picked up his rifle, put the magazine in it worked the bolt to insert a round in the breech, stepped forward, and from about two feet shot his sister through the head. ■ Mr R. R. Kearney, who appeared for Ranapia, said the bitterness the accused now felt at his actions would be carried with him th<- rest of his life. He could not explain his negligence. He had had a very close regard for the sister whose life he had taken. This had been the reason for his having returned to school this year to protect his sister from attack or advances by other 'youths.