Two New Zealand brothers have been convicted of the horrific murder of toddler Nia Glassie, who died after being put in a tumble dryer, swung around on a clothes line and kicked in the head.
A jury in Rotorua on Tuesday found Michael and Wiremu Curtis guilty of murdering the three-year-old, also finding Nia's mother Lisa Kuka guilty of two counts of manslaughter.
During the month-long trial the jury was told some of the accused had played a role in putting the little girl in a clothes dryer and turning it on, while those around them laughed.
At various times Nia was hoisted onto a clothes line and spun around until she flew off, and had
wrestling moves performed on her.
She died in hospital 36 hours after she was kicked in the head by the Curtis brothers. By the time she reached medical care she was in a coma and was bleeding from the back of her eyes.
As the verdicts were read, Michael Curtis cried and tried to leave the dock, while his brother, who was visibly shaken, had to be held up by prison guards, courtroom sources said.
Kuka showed no emotion as she heard the verdict against her.
A total of five people stood trial on 22 charges in relation to Nia's abuse and death.
The other two, Nia's cousin Michael Pearson, 20, and Oriwa Kemp, 18, were found not guilty of manslaughter but guilty of child cruelty.
Kuka was found guilty of two counts of manslaughter, for failing to provide her daughter the necessities of life, and not protecting her from violence.
In relation to the washing line incident, the Curtis brothers and Kemp were found guilty of ill treatment.
The Curtis brothers and Pearson were each found guilty of wilful ill treatment after the jury found they played a role in putting Nia in a clothes dryer.
Pearson was convicted of assault for subjecting the child to wrestling holds.
During the trial, a doctor said Nia likely would have survived had she been taken to hospital sooner.
Michael Curtis denied kicking Nia, telling the court she had fallen from his shoulders and hit her head on the ground.
The accused last week declined to give evidence in their own defence.
Justice Judith Potter's voice wavered as she thanked the jury for their work and offered them counselling.
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