Radio NZ
April 28 2008; 21:18

DNA likely that of George Gwaze, says Crown

DNA likely to be that of a Christchurch man accused of murdering his 10-year-old niece was found in her underwear, the Crown has told a court on Monday.

George Gwaze, 56, is charged with sexually violating and killing Charlene Makaza in January last year.

The girl was found unresponsive in her bedroom and taken to hospital.

In opening the case against Mr Gwaze, Crown prosecutor Chris Lange says forensic tests conducted on her underwear showed the DNA was most likely to have come from the accused.

The Crown says Mr Gwaze suffocated his niece during the course of a sexual violation.

The defence says there was no sexual assault and that Charlene died of natural causes.

The trial is set down for three weeks and will hear evidence from more than 60 witnesses