Huge prison term for violent criminal Alani Moeakiola, who helped cover up roadside murder
A Moonah criminal has copped a huge prison term after helping cover up a murder by one of his associates – and after brutally assaulting his girlfriend for years. What a judge has determined>
Police & Courts
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A violent man considered a “person of authority” by his criminal associates has been jailed both for his role covering up the roadside murder of a Hobart man – and for two years of brutality against his girlfriend that has left her disabled.
Alani Povalu Moeakiola, now 34, helped killer Shannon Duffy hide from police after the execution-style murder of Jarrod Leigh Turner in April 2019, and helped plan the disposal of the murder weapon.
Moeakiola has been hit with a huge prison term of 18 years – but most of it is for the years of horrific terror, threats, coercive control, bashings and abuse he inflicted upon a former partner.
The woman, as a result of Moeakiola’s violence, has been left “significantly disabled” with a brain injury – and is unlikely to be able to work in the future, or pursue her dreams of becoming a hairdresser.
Moeakiola pleaded guilty to aggravated assault against Duffy, possessing a firearm in contravention of a firearms prohibition order, and being an accessory after the fact to murder.
He also pleaded guilty to the separate matter of persistent family violence.
Following a number of disputed facts hearings, a lengthy sentence has now been handed down by the Supreme Court of Tasmania.
While sentencing, Justice Michael Brett said at the time of the murder, Duffy was working for Moeakiola’s brother Joe and spent a lot of time at “the shed” in Moonah – where Moeakiola lived and carried out a drug trafficking business.
Joe is not accused of any wrongdoing.
In an act of “violent discipline” on March 31, 2019, Moeakiola committed an aggravated assault against Duffy by attempting to shoot him in the foot.
He did this to punish him because he believed Duffy had set fire to one of his associate’s homes, and Moeakiola believed others were blaming him for the blaze.
The gun wasn’t working properly, and the projectile didn’t pierce his boot – but nevertheless Duffy was left with grazing and swelling to the foot.
Two weeks later, Duffy murdered Mr Turner after hearing an allegation he had sexually assaulted one of Duffy’s female friends.
Moeakiola became aware shortly beforehand that Duffy intended to shoot his former friend – but has not been charged with any crime arising out of the events before the murder or for having any involvement in the death.
Justice Brett said after the murder, Duffy arrived at the shed, looking for help from Moeakiola to avoid police detection.
Moeakiola helped Duffy find a spot to hide at Fingal for five days, and had a discussion with others about whether Duffy’s girlfriend should be killed – as she’d been a witness to the murder, Justice Brett said.
He also helped dispose of Duffy’s shoes, and helped form a plan to cut up and throw the murder weapon – a 12-gauge shotgun – into the sea.
“You provided Duffy with solace, comfort and practical assistance,” Justice Brett said.
“He saw you as someone with the contacts and resources necessary to assist him to evade responsibility for his actions. From the start and without any real hesitation, you took on that role.”
The judge said Moeakiola was taken into custody in June 2019, after he was arrested for seriously assaulting his girlfriend repeatedly over the two previous years – leaving her hospitalised.
On one occasion in 2017, Moeakiola forced the woman out of his car, then drove at her at 40km/h, causing her to tumble over the bonnet and onto the road.
On another occasion, Moeakiola stomped the woman’s back and broke several of her ribs.
On numerous occasions over the coming years, he bashed her unconscious before kicking her to the face while wearing steel-capped boots in March 2019.
When she took refuge with other friends, Moeakiola sent her a photo of her mother’s grave and got an associate to shoot at the house she was staying at.
When the woman gave in and returned to the shed, Moeakiola locked the door and said “that was a silly move”, brutally bashing her and cutting her neck.
He threw a glass at her in May 2019, leaving glass fragments in her eye.
Moeakiola, who required the woman to perform “certain domestic services” for him, shoved her head into the bathroom basin when she didn’t lay out his shaving equipment one morning.
He later burnt her face with a cigarette and poured soft drink and potato chips over her.
Justice Brett said the woman had been assessed as suffering multiple traumatic brain injuries from the assaults on her head, including those that left her unconscious.
She is likely to need long-term, if not permanent support, and continues to live in fear that Moeakiola will do something to cause her loved ones being hurt.
The extreme violence only ended when Moeakiola was taken into custody.
“The violence was cruel, brutal and frequent,” Justice Brett said.
“You thought nothing of beating her to the point of unconsciousness, and then when she regained consciousness, blaming her for your violence.”
Moeakiola was jailed for 12 years over the domestic violence, plus six years for the other crimes.
He will be eligible to apply for parole after nine years.
In 2009, was jailed for two years after causing the death of his girlfriend, Kayla Maher, by dangerous driving at high speed through Moonah.
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