MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 2 March 1939, Page 6

MAORI CHARGED WITH MURDER

TRIAL BEGINS AT GISBORNE ACCUSED’S BROTHER GIVES EVIDENCE I United I*reus 1 GISBORNE. Ist M.'/rch. The trial of Rewl Kerehi, alias Dave Grace, aged 42, who is charged with murdering his wife, Matekino Grace, aged 32, in Tuparoa, on 10th December last year began in the Supreme Court this afternoon before Mr Justice Northcroft. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr F. W. Nolan, prosecuted, and Mr A. A. Whitehead represented accused. Nehe Wiki Grace, brother of accused, said lie looked after their five children in the absence of his brother and sister-in-law. On Bth December, vl en accused left for Ruatcria, he was wearing a pair of tennis shoes with heels. Accused and his wife returned late the same evening, apparently in normal spirits. Witness said he was sitting on a bed with them listening to the radio when suddenly accused struck his wife. He punched her* a second time and they started struggling op the floor, witness then attempting lo pacify the children, who were upset. He saw Mrs Grace stagger along the wall toward the door. Accused followed his wife to the kitchen. witness taking his lamp lo the meet-ing-house. When he returned he saw Mrs Grace lying on her face on the fit or. Accused remarked that he was Dave Grace the champion fighter, and witness became afraid and ran away, first going to the children and then to his sister’s home.