Woman found guilty of murder

Press, 19 May 1989, Page 34

Woman found guilty of murder

PA Auckland A High Court jury took less than three hours to find an Auckland woman guilty of murdering Trevor George Lewis and leaving his bleeding body in her bath.

Mata Clara Pita, aged 31, was sentenced by Mr Justice Smellie to life imprisonment, after the verdict was delivered.

Pita, who showed no emotion, was led from the court with her arms folded.

The body of Mr Lewis, aged 34, was found by the police in Pita’s bath on the morning of April 5 last year. He had suffered numerous cuts and stab wounds from a boning knife, taken from the kitchen, the Court was told.

Throughout her eightday trial, where she faced a charge of murder, Pita conceded she had inflicted the fatal stab wound. She claimed she acted in self-defence.

Pita alleged Mr Lewis attacked her after taking a mixture of drugs and alcohol. She said she had no choice but to stab Mr Lewis. She said she did not intend to kill him.

The Crown prosecutor, Mr Aaron Perkins, said there was no justification for the killing. Pita wanted to kill Mr Lewis

and carried out her murderous intent.

Summing up, his Honour said the jury had to decide what was in Pita's mind at the time of the killing.

He said the jury had to be satisfied Pita knew there was a substantial risk death would result from the blow she inflicted, or was reckless whether death ensued.

The jury were advised that if they accepted selfdefence they should acquit Pita, as this was a complete defence and no criminal responsibility flowed from it.

It was not up to Pita to prove this, his Honour said.

“There is no onus on Pita to prove she was acting in self-defence. The Crown must satisfy you beyond reasonable doubt she did not act in selfdefence,” he said. His Honour also warned the jury not to make the mistake of convicting Pita because she told lies.

Pita gave conflicting versions of events when she first telephoned the police to say a body was in the bath. Her court evidence also differed from her police statement.

His Honour said telling lies did not necessarily indicate guilt.