Radio NZ
May 21 2008;

Jury retires

A High Court jury in Christchurch has begun its deliberation in the trial of a Zimbabwean man accused of murdering and sexually violating his niece.

The Crown says George Gwaze suffocated Charlene Makaza, aged 10, to prevent her calling out while he sexually attacked her in her bed.

But the defence says the girl died of natural causes, stemming from her HIV infection.

The jury of seven men and five women jury began deliberations just before 11.30am.