Harding pleads not guilty to rape, murder charges

Press, 12 April 1978, Page 2

Harding pleads not guilty to rape, murder charges

lan Rodger Harding, aged 20, a farmhand, pleaded not guilty to charges of murder and rape after depositions were taken before Mr J. D. Kinder, S.M., in the Magistrate’s Court at Ashburton yesterday. He was remanded in custody to appear for trial in the Supreme Court at Christchurch on a date to be fixed. The Crown has alleged that Harding took Ronda Elizabeth Bain, aged 11, stripped her, tied her to a tree, raped her, strangled her, and then covered her body with leaves. The girl disappeared in the Westerfield area on February 6. Her body was found early on February 8. Mr S. G. Erber, with him Mr D. J. Holdemess, appeared for the accused. Mr N. W. Williamson, with him' Mr B. M. Stanway, appeared for the Crown. Twenty-four witnesses gave evidence and 26 exhibits were produced. The pub* lie gallery was full throughout the two-day hearing, and many showed signs of emotion as the evidence unfolded. Much of that evidence came from Detective Inspector P. S. Seaman and related to conversations between himself and the accused, but most of this was suppressed by the Magistrate. Harding showed no emo-

tion throughout. He consulted his counsel occasionally and pleaded to the charges in a firm voice. Detective Sergeant R. J. Woolhouse gave evidence that the body of Ronda Bain was found between two. logs and under dense elderberry foliage on the Armstrong property. It was about 16 metres from a water-race. The body was lying on its back, the head rested to the right and the feet encased in riding boots, were tucked back underneath a log. The arms were folded over the chest and there were marks on the head, back, and stomach. Initially only one arm was visible. Undergrowth was removed from the cover, which was 3.8 metres from a dead pine tree. Near the tree’s base the police found three pieces of green cord, said Detective Sergeant Woolhouse. Two were tied in a bow. A piece of green fibre was found 88cm up the tree. A piece of hair was found 1.35 m up the tree along with pieces of hemp fibre. About 90cm above ground another piece of fibre was found on an elderberry branch nearby. Two areas of blood stains were found nearby. Samples were taken. Some vegetation was also taken. Inspector J. L. Durable said he controlled searches of the area through to February 15. The searches were thorough.

He was satisfied that had clothing been in the area it would have been found unless extreme care had been taken to conceal it. Peter Rudolf Hentschel, a scientist in the D.5.1.R., had his evidence summarised by Mr Williamson. The evidence was submitted as a statement. In it, Mr Hentschel said he conducted tests and was of the opinion that the blood sample given to him by the police was of the same type as Ronda Bain’s. It was evident on bark and debris samples, and on the accused’s T-shirt. There was no human blood on a knife or rope. In a presumptive test, there was evidence of seminal stains on the underpants and the fly area of shorts owned by the accused. There was insufficient stain to test further. The hair sample was similar to the sample supplied from the body. The green fibre was similar to some from the girl’s swimming costume. The hemp fibres were similar to the rope, and the ties of the swimming costume had been cut, Mr Hentschel said. Evidence by a pathologist, Mr L. L. Treadgold, was similarly dealt with. However, his report on the pathological examination and his opinion of the cause of death were suppressed.