One News
May 21 2008; 11:57

Gwaze cleared of murder, sex charges

A Christchurch man accused of the sexual assault and murder of his 10-year-old niece has been found not guilty on all charges.

George Gwaze's lawyers had argued Charlene Makaza most likely died of natural causes in January 2007.

Family and even some of the jurors were in tears as the verdict was read out.

Since his arrest more than a year ago, Gwaze had argued he was innocent.

Now the jury has agreed and on Wednesday evening he walked from court a free man, the relief of his supporters outside obvious.

The 56-year-old was on trial for the sexual attack and murder of his niece who was also his adoptive daughter. 

"To stop her crying out, her face was smothered and she was prevented from breathing," said Chris Lange, Crown prosecutor.

Three weeks after Charlene was rushed to hospital from her home, the Zimbabwean vet was arrested when DNA was found on her underwear. But his lawyers claimed she had died of natural causes.

"The baby of the family, Charlene, who was by all accounts, the defence say, a sickly child, HIV positive, had become extremely unwell," said Jonathan Eaton, defence lawyer.

The evidence that probably raised doubt came last week when the court heard how one medical witness for the Crown met a South African doctor overseas who likened Charlene's death to others with HIV.

The judge told the jurors this might be a case of asphyxiation and sexual assault, it might not be as well.

When the three not guilty verdicts were read out, Gwaze's family almost collapsed with elation, one thanking Jesus, and three of the jurors were in tears.

Gwaze has been forced to live away from his family since his arrest. On Wednesday night he was back with them.