Teenagers On Murder Charge (Press, 17 July 1984)

On 17 July 1984, the High Court in Auckland heard a disturbing case involving the tragic death of 68-year-old Frank Homer Herbert. The jury was presented with details about the attack on Herbert by two teenagers, Benjamin Eugene Manuel, aged 17, and Darren Elliott Grant, aged 19, who have both pleaded not guilty to murder. The incident occurred on 23 November 1983. Crown prosecutor Mr D. S. Morris outlined the circumstances leading up to the attack, revealing that Herbert had encountered the accused at the Mangere Hotel. During this meeting, he reportedly made homosexual advances, which led to the youths accompanying him back to his flat. Morris argued that the youths were fully aware of Herbert's vulnerabilities and had no intention of behaving kindly towards him. After spending time at Herbert’s flat, the perpetrators reportedly subjected him to a severe beating, leaving him seriously injured and likely unconscious in the back of his own van. They subsequently drove the van around Auckland before ultimately deciding to throw him off a bridge, leading to his drowning. Morris highlighted that before leaving the flat, one of the youths, Manuel, took belongings from Herbert, including money and a watch. Morris posed a critical question to the jury about the motivations of the accused, asking why they had specifically chosen Herbert as their target and implying that they viewed him as an easy victim. The trial was expected to continue throughout the week as the court examined the facts of the case and deliberated on the individual guilt of the two teenagers in relation to Herbert’s death.

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