MURDER CHARGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26620, 17 November 1947, Page 5

MURDER CHARGE

•DEATH OF MAORI CHILD 1 ACCUSED NOT ASKED TO PLEAD p.A. WHANGAREI, Nov. 15. On September 2 the body of a three-year-old Maori girl, Moana Maka Waka, was found close to the bank of a small creek at Ahipara. A part of her dress was tied round her neck and another part was tied round her leg. A 17-year-old boy, Frederick Brass, was later arrested and charged with murder. The sequel was heard in the Kaitaia Court yesterday, when a detective sergeant said Brass told him that the deceased followed him to the creek for a swim. He (the accused) said he “had taken her from the water and left her sleeping after taking off her wet clothes and tying them round her neck to keep her warm, and tying another garment round her leg because it was bleeding.” The medical* superintendent of the Avondale Mental Hospital said the accused often answered questions at random, and witness was of the opinion he was bordering on imbecility. He seemed to be able to relate facts with some degree of clarity, but as to whether it was something he had done or something he had heard, witness would not express an opinion. In view of the, circumstances the magistrate, Mr Harley, said he would not ask the accused to plead, but would send the case on for trial.