MURDER TRIAL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 51, 2 March 1939, Page 8

MURDER TRIAL

MAORI WOMAN’S DEATH EVIDENCE OF ACCUSED’S BROTHER (By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) [ Per Piess Association.J GISBORNE, March 1. The trial of Rewi Kerehi, alias Dave Grace, aged 42, charged with murdering his wife, Matekinio Grace, aged 32, at Tuparoa, on December 10 of last year, began in the Supreme Court this afternoon before Mr. Justice Northcroft. The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. F. W. Nolan, prosecuted and Mr. A. A. Whithead represented accused. Nehe Wiki Grace, a brother of accused, said he looked after five children in the absence of his brother and sister-j.n-law. On December 8, when accused left for Ruatoria, he was wearing a pair of tennis shoes with heels. Accused and his wife returned late the same evening, apparently in normal spirits. Witness sat on a bed with them listening to a radio when suddenly accused struck his wife. Accused punched her a second time and they started struggling on the floor. Witness was attempting to pacify the children, who were upset. He saw Mrs. Grace stagger along the wall toward lhe door. Accused followed his wife to the kitchen, witness taking a lamp to the meeting house. When he returned he saw Mrs. Grace lying on her face on the floor. Accused remarked that he was Dave Grace, the champion fighter. and witness became afraid and ran away, first going to the children and then to his sister’s home.