Asia-Pacific News
Relatives convicted of manslaughter in exorcism drowning death
Jun 13, 2009, 7:00 GMT
Wellington - Five members of a New Zealand family will learn their sentences in August after being found guilty of manslaughter over the drowning death of a woman in an exorcism ceremony, Television New Zealand reported Saturday.
The High Court in Wellington on Friday brought down guilty verdicts on five of the eight accused over the death of 22-year-old Janet Moses at a curse-lifting ceremony two years ago.
There were angry scenes outside the courtroom when the verdicts were read out late at night.
The court was told family members tried to make Moses 'vomit up the demon' by pouring water down her throat. She drowned.
A 14-year-old who was given the same treatment survived, and the two accused of mistreating her were acquitted.
During the six-week trial, the court was told the family believed Moses had been possessed by demons after family members stole a concrete statue of a lion from a hotel.
COMMENT
blog comments powered by DisqusLatest Headlines in Asia-Pacific
- 1. Chinese dissidents hail late democracy activist Fang Lizhi
- 2. China "worried" over planned North Korea rocket launch
- 3. Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi meets Karen rebels
- 4. Chinese schoolboy sells kidney to buy iPad, iPhone
- 5. Myanmar president invites Karen rebels to form party
Older Talkback
