Connor Whitehead who was fatally shot in Christchurch on 5 November 2021. Photo: Give a Little
Daniel Nelson Sparks, 44, and Joshua David Craig Smith, 33, have been jailed for the manslaughter of Christchurch teenager Connor Whitehead outside a party two years ago.
In the High Court at Christchurch today, Justice Harland sentenced Sparks to six years and three months imprisonment, and Smith to seven years' imprisonment.
The three people charged with helping Sparks and Smith were also sentenced.
Justice Harland sentenced Kelly Archbold to four months community detention and supervision; and Nicholas McKay to six months community detention and 100 hours community work.
A 37-year-old woman was sentenced to 100 hours community work, with interim name suppression still in place.
Whitehead, who was 16, was shot at close range while standing outside with friends when a 15th birthday party spun out of control in the suburb of Casebrook in November 2021.
The pair had pleaded not guilty to the killings and opted not to give evidence during the trial which concluded in May.
Both were found guilty of manslaughter by the jury, who were unanimous in their verdict.
At the time Connor's father, James Whitehead, told media outside court he did not care what happened to the men and the verdict was not going to bring his son back.
"There is no victory here for us today, we don't get our Connor back when we go home."