A man who lit the fatal fire at Loafers Lodge in Wellington has been found guilty of five counts of murder and one count of arson, bringing some relief to grieving families more than two years after the tragic blaze.
Fifty-year-old Esarona David Lologa, whose name was previously suppressed, was convicted at the High Court in Wellington following a five-week trial. The fire, which tore through the Newtown boarding house in May 2023, claimed the lives of Michael Wahrlich, Melvin Parun, Peter O’Sullivan, Kenneth Barnard, and Liam Hockings.
The verdict was met with audible emotion from the public gallery, where victims’ families were present.
Although it was never disputed that Lologa lit the fire, he had pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity. The defence argued he was experiencing a serious psychotic relapse, pointing to his schizophrenia diagnosis and CCTV footage that showed him agitated and distressed in the hours before the fire.
However, five mental health experts called by the Crown testified that Lologa was not insane at the time. They said he understood the moral implications of his actions, citing his own statements to Police and psychiatrists. The prosecution argued Lologa wanted to leave the hostel and used the fire as a way out.
Crown prosecutor Grant Burston criticised the defence’s expert witness, Dr Krishna Pillai, for what he called a “blinkered approach” that relied too heavily on Lologa’s self-reported experience.
Defence lawyer Louise Sziranyi rejected the Crown’s theory of motive, stating there was no evidence Lologa lit the fire for better accommodation. She insisted his actions could only be explained by his mental state.
Under New Zealand law, the insanity defence must prove the defendant was incapable of understanding their actions were morally wrong. The jury ultimately sided with the Crown.
Detective Inspector Tim Leitch, who led the investigation, said the verdict brought comfort to the victims’ families. “I’m just pleased we got the result we were looking for,” he said.
Lologa will be sentenced on 21 November.