Witness 'freaked out' by curse ceremony

Last updated 10:31 12/05/2009

Text Size

Photo gallery: Makutu case accused

1 of 9

CRAIG SIMCOX/The Dominion Post Zoom

Hall Jones Wharepapa, 46, is jointly charged with the manslaughter of Janet Moses.

Relevant offers

Wellington

Whare too small for waka Bus hits tourist from cruise ship Outstanding scholar keeps getting better Firefighters fly to Kapiti blaze Joust another day at the office Bunch of new dwarfs sing praises of The Hobbit Thai team to investigate Kiwi's death Milk bars served it up by the scoop Council fears loss of liquor ban areas Congratulations and be prosperous

A jury has heard how more than 40 people gathered at the one-bedroom flat where a young mother died during a ritual to cleanse her of an evil spirit or makutu.

Janet Moses, 22, allegedly drowned during the ceremony and witnesses have told the High Court at Wellington that the carpet in the Wainuiomata flat was soaked, as was the bed on which she lay in the lounge.

The court has heard the flat was the home of Ms Moses' grandfather, John Rawiri senior. His wife, to whom Ms Moses had been especially close, died in late August 2007 - about six weeks before Ms Moses's death. Ms Moses' mother Olivia, her partner Joseph Petelo and their three children had moved in to keep Mr Rawiri senior company.

In evidence read to the court Mr Petelo said Janet Moses became quiet and seemed very affected by her grandmother's death.

On Thursday October 11, 2007, Mr Petelo went to the flat where more than 40 members of the extended family had gathered. Most were inside but some were not allowed inside.

The statement said one of the nine accused of Janet Moses' manslaughter, Georgina Rawiri, told Mr Petelo to go quickly to the bedroom and close the door. He knew it was the recently dead grandmother speaking to him through Rawiri.

He passed through the lounge and "freaked out" at what he saw. A circle of men were protecting the room shouting in Maori and poking out their tongues. He could not see Ms Moses.

He stayed in the bedroom with Olivia Moses and the young children who went to the toilet in the corner of the room because they were not allowed out.

Mr Petelo's statement said he was Tokelauan and did not understand what was going on but it sounded like people were saying "Go with peace and love".

The next day the children were allowed to leave and one of the accused, John Rawiri junior, told Olivia Moses that Janet had been "lost".

The police arrived a few hours later. Mr Petelo said he thought it took that long to notify the police of the death because everyone was grieving.

The statement of John Rawiri senior, whose flat it was, was also read to the court. In it he said he spent most of the time in the bedroom in the days leading up to Ms Moses' death when the ritual to remove the curse carried on day and night.

When he heard she had died he cried himself to sleep and did not wake till police arrived.

"I can only assume that she lost the battle with the curse."

Ad Feedback

THE ACCUSED

* Nine members of Janet Moses' extended family are charged with her manslaughter, which the Crown alleges was the result of an attempt to remove a curse a makutu or evil spirit.

* The accused are: John Tahana Rawiri, 49, Georgina Aroha Rawiri, 50, Aroha Gwendoline Wharepapa, 48, Hall Jones Wharepapa, 46, Tanginoa Apanui, 42, Angela Rangiaroha Orupe, 46, Gaylene Tangiohorere Kepa, 44, Alfred Hughes Kepa, 48, and Glenys Lynette Wright, 52. All are siblings of Ms Moses' mother, or their partners.

* Two people, whose names are suppressed, are charged with cruelty to a 14-year-old girl in their care.

* The charges date from October 12, 2007, at Wainuiomata, the time it is alleged by the Crown that Ms Moses and others were subjected to a ceremony resulting in her drowning.

- © Fairfax NZ News