Stabbing described in New Lynn murder case

Press, 10 February 1983, Page 21

Stabbing described in New Lynn murder case

PA Auckland A man has told the High Court at Auckland that he was attacked and stabbed in the face and stomach by a man accused of murdering his wife in the same incident. Roger Bruce Birchall, a motor mechanic, gave evidence on the second day of a trial in which Sio Sauni, aged 30. a machine operator, of Avondale, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of the murder of his wife, Susan Ann Sauni. outside her home on'July 2. Sauni has also pleaded not guilty to alternative charges of attempting to murder Mr Birchall and, with intent to injure him. causing Mr Birchall grievous bodily harm.

Earlier in the trial, before Mr Justice Moller and a jury, the Court had heard that Sauni and his wife had separated and that she had lived at their former address in a block of fiats in New Lynn.

Mr Birchall said he had worked for the same company as Mrs Sauni last year. He said that on the night of the stabbing, he had gone with her and a group of others to the Potters Wheel Tavern. Later, he said, the two had left and gone to Mrs Sauni's flat. In reply to Mr Peter Kaye, for the Crown, Mr Birchall said he and Mrs Sauni had walked up the pathway leading to the steps of her flat.

He had heard yelling behind them and turned to see Sauni running across the drivewaywaving a knife. He said Sauni "thrashed out" at them with the knife. “We fought and I tried to grab the knife from him," said Mr Birchell. “I got cut in the face and stomach and on the hand where I tried to grab the blade." Mr Birchall said he went towards the flat of his nextdoor neighbour, calling for help, but recalled little after that. In reply to Mr Kaye, he said he had spent a long time in hospital afer the attack. The trial is expected to continue until next week.