Caregivers found guilty of manslaughter

Two south Auckland caregivers have been found guilty of the manslaughter of an intellectually-impaired woman in their care.

Joseph Proude (47) and Here Teinakirai (53), both denied 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 was also found guilty of a second manslaughter charge by omitting to seek medical care for Ms Joseph, and guilty of 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 had previously admitted both of those charges. Proude was also found guilty of five charges of assault on Ms Joseph and one charge of assault, using a dog as a weapon.

Teinakirai was found guilty of six charges of assault on Ms Joseph, three charges of assault with intent to injure and two charges of assault with a weapon, using a stick and a hose.

These assault charges date from October 2006, when they took over Ms Joseph's care. Proude and Teinakirai were remanded in custody until sentencing in the High Court at Auckland on May 25.

The jury of seven men and five women spent almost seven hours deliberating after hearing Justice Pamela Andrews sum the case up yesterday morning. Justice Andrews thanked the jury for their attention to this case, given the duration of the trial which has run for four weeks.

The Crown had said 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.