Relatives convicted in ‘bizarre’ exorcism deathNew Zealand court told that kin believed victim was possessed by demons
WELLINGTON, New Zealand - A jury has found five New Zealanders guilty of manslaughter in the death of a family member during an exorcism ceremony to drive a "makutu" or Maori curse from the woman.
Nine family members of the victim, Janet Moses, 22, performed an exorcism on her in October 2007, forcing water into her mouth and eyes to flush out demons and lift the makutu.
Moses drowned and a 14-year-old girl the group also believed was possessed suffered serious eye injuries as people picked at the demons they saw in them, the High Court hearing was told.
As the verdicts were read out in the courtroom in the capital, Wellington, late Friday, family members and supporters openly wept.
One family member shouted the "law stands for lies" as the decisions were announced after the 12-member jury had deliberated for 17 hours.
Three of the nine defendants were found not guilty and a fourth was discharged for lack of evidence. Outside the courtroom, people shouted and wailed, venting their anger toward media and lawyers.
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Strange, just strange.
