Konia guilty of pensioners' murder

David Konia stabbed Ted Ferguson and Margaret Waldin to death. Picture / Mark Mitchell

David Konia, the man charged with the murders of Feilding pensioners Ted Ferguson and Margaret Waldin, has been found guilty.

After a full day's deliberations yesterday, the jury at the High Court in Palmerston North took just one hour this morning to reach its verdicts.

Konia, 53, was remanded in custody for sentencing on June 30.

He stood impassively in the dock as the jury foreman read out the verdicts and there was muted response from the packed public gallery.

Justice Ronald Young ordered pre-sentence reports, including a psychiatric report, to be prepared for sentencing.

On May 27 2005, Konia followed Mrs Waldin, 76, back to the flat of her close friend Mr Ferguson, 73, in the Manawatu town of Fielding.

He then stabbed the pair to death.

Outside the court, Mr Ferguson's daughter Maree Ferguson said the verdicts had finally brought some closure for the families.

"We got the verdict," Ms Ferguson said. "The police did such a good job."

She said it had been very difficult to sit in court and watch Konia throughout the trial.

Keith Waldin, Mrs Waldin's son, thanked everybody who had worked throughout the case.

"I can't thank the jury enough. It was hard enough for them -- it must have been nerve-racking."

Mr Walden would not say what he thought of Konia.

"I don't know. I can't comment on that. I've never seen him before, let alone got to know him. I feel sorry for his family."

Mr Waldin said the family now just wanted to move on with their lives.

"That's the objective -- it's been too long for everybody."

Konia's lawyer Fergus Steedman left the court without commenting.

The detective in charge of the police investigation, Craig Sheridan, said he was "happy" with the result.

"This is a sad case," he said, but "it brings closure for everybody involved."

Justice Young yesterday summarised the evidence and the defence and Crown arguments for the jury.

He warned the jury they shouldn't make a leap of thought and decide that the killer must be mentally ill and therefore Konia, who had schizophrenia, must be the killer.

He also reminded the jury that witnesses had said Konia was gentle.

Justice Young said Crown prosecutor Tim Brewer had claimed the jury should decide Konia was the killer because he had the opportunity, wanted money, and was resentful of the pair not buying him a drink.

But Justice Young said Konia's lawyer Fergus Steedman had claimed Konia did not appear to be any wealthier after the alleged robberies.

- NEWSTALK ZB, NZPA