A High Court jury considering whether two south Auckland
caregivers are guilty of the manslaughter of an
intellectually impaired woman they cared for has retired for
the night.
Joseph Proude, 47, and Here Teinakirai, 53, both deny the
manslaughter as a result of an assault of Patricia Joseph,
whose body was found floating in the Wairoa River near
Clevedon, south of Auckland, by kayakers on January 20.
Teinakirai also denies a second manslaughter charge by
omitting to seek medical care for Ms Joseph, and denies
offering an indignity to Ms Joseph's body, which was wrapped
in pieces of cloth, weighed down with a rock and put into the
river. Proude has admitted both of those charges.
Proude and Teinakirai have also denied a number of assault
charges dating from October 2006, when they took over Ms
Joseph's care.
The jury of seven men and five women retired about 12.30pm
today after hearing Justice Pamela Andrews sum the case up.
They deliberated until 4.45pm, when they went home for the
day. They will resume deliberations about 10am tomorrow.
The Crown says Ms Joseph was assaulted about January 1, 2008
and left on the bathroom floor until January 13, when her
body was taken to the Wairoa River.
Lawyers for Proude and Teinakirai both said there was not
enough evidence to prove the guilt of their clients.
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