A remorseless getaway driver who refused to name the gunman who shot dead a father-of-five has been jailed for 12 years.
Nikola Latuhoi, 29, admitted driving his Toyota Hilux to Ravenhall's All Star Lounge in Melbourne's west on the night of February 28, 2021.
Ikenasio Tuivasa had been standing outside with family and friends when Latuhoi's passenger yelled at the group and then fired four or five shots through his window.
One struck Mr Tuivasa in the head, killing him, while a second man was also hit in the leg.
Latuhoi and the co-offender, who were both wearing face coverings, fled the scene and the 29-year-old flew to Sydney.
He took steps to avoid detection, including changing his phone number and deactivating his Facebook account.
But Latuhoi was arrested in July 2021 in a stolen car on unrelated matters.
He was originally charged with murder and attempted murder over the shooting, but he formally pleaded guilty in the Victorian Supreme Court to a charge of manslaughter in July 2023.
In sentencing Latuhoi on Friday, Justice John Champion said Mr Tuivasa was an innocent father-of-five who was loved and respected by his family and friends.
"(His) life was cut brutally short," the judge said.
Justice Champion described Latuhoi's actions as "outrageous and unacceptable", noting he had shown little to no remorse.
The 29-year-old had refused to name the gunman, citing risks to his safety.
But Justice Champion said there was no evidence of that risk and Latuhoi was only preventing Mr Tuivasa's family from experiencing closure.
"They must live in the knowledge their loved one's killer may live among them," he said.
The judge found Latuhoi had been aware there was a weapon in the car and he was driving the gunman to a location to carry out violence.
"Your actions were crucial," Justice Champion said.
"You facilitated the primary offender to get to the scene and then drove him away.
"There's no question you acted deliberately in facilitating this."
Latuhoi otherwise had a good upbringing, no mental health issues and a supportive family so his crime was senseless and out of character, Justice Champion said.
The 29-year-old was jailed for 12 years but he will be eligible for parole after nine years.
Sekonaia Vave faced a murder trial in the Victorian Supreme Court last year, accused of being the gunman.
The jury found him not guilty of murder and attempted murder, and also acquitted him of an alternate charge of homicide by firearm.
