Judge to sum up exorcism case tomorrow

Family members accused of manslaughter over the drowning of a mother-of-two during a ceremony to lift a curse may find out their fate tomorrow.

Wainuiomata mother Janet Moses, 22, died on October 12, 2007, after attempts to lift a makutu, or curse, on her.

The eight people accused of killing her were all her whanau members.

They are: John Tahana Rawiri, 49; Tanginoa Apanui, 42; Hall Jones Wharepapa, 46; Angela Orupe, 36; Gaylene Tangiohororere Kepa, 44; Aroha Gwendoline Wharepapa, 48; Alfred Hughes Kepa, 48; and Glenys Lynette Wright, 52.

A ninth defendant, Georgina Rawiri, was discharged yesterday after the judge, Justice Simon France, said there was not enough evidence to charge her.

During the five-week-long trial, the court was told the family believed Ms Moses had been possessed by demons after two family members stole a concrete lion statue from the Greytown Hotel in the Wairarapa.

The family performed an exorcism on Ms Moses on October 12, forcing water into her mouth and eyes to flush out demons and lift the makutu.

In his summing up yesterday, crown prosecutor Grant Burston said "fatal reasoning" and "utter hysteria" led to Ms Moses' death.

What the family thought was makutu was a misinterpretation of an emerging mental illness, with the situation evolving into a "supernatural battle that needed to be fought", ending with "tragic consequences", he said.

"The family had decided it was a puzzle the family had to solve", leading to them reconstructing their memories to justify their beliefs after the event, Mr Burston said.

Representing two of the accused, Greg King said while the family's actions may be "totally unbelievable or irrational" they must be acquitted unless it can be proven beyond reasonable doubt that they participated during the last critical moments.

"It was never anyone's intention that the water would go into her airways."

The purpose of pouring the water into her throat was to make her vomit and "bring up the demon".

It must be proven that each individual held Ms Moses down while water was poured into her eyes, that they poured the water, filled water containers or encouraged others to commit these acts, Mr King said.

Lawyers for the accused finished their closing statements today and Justice France will begin summing up the case at 9.30am tomorrow.

- NZPA