The Press
July 17 2007
Semen links Gwaze to murder scene, court told
DNA evidence connected a man to the
violation and murder of his niece, a depositions hearing has been told.
George Evans Gwaze, 54, is charged
with murdering his niece, Charlene Makaza, 10, and two counts of sexually
violating the child, on January 6 in Christchurch.
At a Christchurch District Court depositions hearing yesterday, the court was told the girl
was found unconscious in her bed on January 6.
She died later in Christchurch
Hospital after never regaining consciousness.
ESR tests on semen found at the
scene determined it was Gwaze's, prosecutor Kerryn Beaton told the hearing. Beaton said Charlene had gone to bed after going to church
on the night of January 5.
She shared the home with other
family members, including Gwaze and his wife, who had adopted her.
Gwaze's wife arrived home from work about
11.30pm and soon after spoke to Charlene through the door, and she said she was
all right.
The family went to bed.
Gwaze's wife awoke at 5.30am and could hear
Charlene breathing with difficulty. Charlene was found unconscious and unwell.
She was taken to a 24-hour surgery
in Bealey Avenue and from there rushed to hospital by
ambulance, where intensive efforts to revive her started. While in the
intensive care unit it was noticed she had injuries consistent with sexual
activity.
Charlene was found to have a severe
hypoxic brain injury and suffered multiple organ failure, dying the next day
without regaining consciousness about 18 hours after being found, Beaton said.
A pathologist found death was due to
asphyxia to the point of unconsciousness, although there was no evidence of
manual strangulation.
Genital injuries were found to be
severe, but did not cause death in themselves, Beaton said.
Police took DNA samples from people
in the house in order to exclude a stranger entering.
A search found soiled bedding and
clothing, including underwear, in a washing machine. ESR tests on semen in
Charlene's underwear found it was Gwaze's.
When interviewed by police, Gwaze
denied any role in what happened, Beaton said.
Questioned by Jonathan Eaton for the
defence, a nurse said the staff's priority was stabilising
Charlene's condition.
The hearing before Judge John Bisphan is expected to finish tomorrow after hearing
evidence from 58 Crown witnesses, mostly in writing.