Argument over sugar sparked double murder

A man who murdered his uncle and aunt at their Far North home snapped over an accusation he had left coffee granules in a sugar bowl.

Appearing in the Kaitaia District Court today, Edwin Harvey Maheno, 39, pleaded guilty to murdering Ivan Maheno and his wife Carmen Maheno on May 19 at their Pamapuria property, south of Kaitaia.

Judge Greg Davis remanded Maheno in custody for an appearance in the High Court at Whangarei on August 15, when a sentencing date will be set.

Judge Davis read extensively from the summary of facts, which he directed be made available to the Northland Age, which stated that the defendant and his victims had shared the house Edwin Maheno grew up in, and inherited from his grandmother in 2009.

The victims hosted a social gathering on the night of May 18; the defendant was not involved, but the next morning he overheard a conversation between the victims regarding his inability to stick to domestic chores.

Ivan Maheno and his nephew argued, Carmen Maheno joining in and verbally abused the defendant. The specific issue, Judge Davis said, was the discovery of coffee granules in a sugar bowl, which Edwin Maheno was accused of being responsible for, but denied.

The defendant was so incensed by the insults that he loaded his .22 rifle, pointed it at Ivan Maheno and shot him in the head, despite profuse apologies from the victim, followed by a shot to the right cheek.

Mother-of-two Carmen Maheno, 38, died in Whangarei Hospital about 12 hours after being fatally shot.

It's believed Mr Maheno's body was found in the house and his wife was found badly injured nearby. It was understood she had been chased a short distance before being shot.

- By Peter Jackson of the Northland Age

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