By Michael Morrah
Four men, including a New Zealander, have all been found guilty over the sinking of the Tongan ferry, Princess Ashika, which went down with the loss of more than 70 lives.
The four were convicted of manslaughter by negligence, along with other charges. They face up to 10 years in jail.
New Zealander John Jonesse, the former boss of the Tongan Shipping Corporation, has been found guilty on eight charges over the sinking of the Ashika.
Along with Jonesse, the Ashika's captain, two other men and the company which operated the doomed ship were also found guilty.
Twenty-seven charges in total were laid against the defendants, including manslaughter by negligence, forgery and sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
They had all been allowed bail during the trial, but the judge told the court that because of the guilty verdicts and the serious nature of the charges, he had no option but to put them behind bars.
The court heard Jonesse was told the rusted Ashika wasn't suitable for Tonga's exposed waters, but he allowed it to go to sea anyway. He even forged a signature on an audit document.
At the police station today the wife of the ship's captain, explained her own personal ordeal.
"The hardest part of what happened today is me answering my kids' questions when I come home today without my husband."
Seventy-four people never made it home when the 37-year-old ferry sank a year and half ago. The captain was sleeping at the time, and when he was woken it was too late. The ferry sank rapidly, the passengers got no warning.
Also found guilty was the ship's first mate, Semisi Pomale, and a former marine department official, Viliami Tuipolutu.
The families of the dead weren't at court today, but that doesn't mean they're forgotten.
Sisters Mele and Jane Tavaki lost their brother. They say they're happy with the verdicts, but not with Jonesse.
"For me and the Tongan people, actually I want to kill him," says Ms Tavaki, "but not that way. I want him to make suffer.
She says she would forgive and even befriend Jonesse and the Shipping Corporation if he'd offer an apology to her family and the others.
The ship's captain, Jonesse, and the other two defendants will remain in police cells over the weekend. They will all be back in court on Monday for sentencing.
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