THE RAETIHI TRAGEDY.

Northern Advocate, 21 August 1913, Page 3

THE RAETIHI TRAGEDY.

PETI TETUA DISCHARGGED

PALMERSTOX NORTH, Aug 20

At the Supreme Court to-day the only case heard by the Chief Justice (Sir Robert Stout) was the charge against Peti Tetua,. the Maori woman, against whom a charge of murder was (preferred. The grand jury reduced the charge to one of manslaughter.

The deed was committed at a Maori pa inland from Raetihi. The victim was a man called Graham. The evidence was to the effect that Graham, Who had 'previously lived at the pa, 'returned agaJn to the Maori woman he had beer, living with, Hirita Tenata. He had made threats on his way to the pa that he would not be seen again, as the police were after him for selling liquor to the M?,oris.

The Maori witnesses stated that they did not want in the pa. It seems Graham shot his wiife in the ear with a pea-trifle The accused Peti was a sister to Graham's wife She came on the scene, and, becoming frenzied, seized a crosscut saw and struck Giraham thrice on the head as he was leaning over the dead woman.

After exhaustive ■ evidence, Sir Robert Stout summed up in favour of accused, who is a young Maori of a fine type, stating that it was most reasonable to suppose she feared Graham would kill the whole family.

After a short retirement, the jury returned a verdict of "Not guilty," and y.ccused was discharged.