May 16, 2008

Experts conferring over murder trial evidence

By Anne Clarkson

A South African professor ? familiar with the deaths of children who have HIV ? wants to consult colleagues about medical evidence concerning the death of 10-year-old Charlene Makaza in Christchurch.

The murder and sexual violation trial of Charlene?s uncle, George Evans Gwaze, has been told of contact in recent days by Professor Heinz Rode, who is attending a conference in Hong Kong.

At the conference, he discussed the case with Professor Spencer Beasley, who had already given evidence in the three-week trial.

The Christchurch High Court jury has been told that he then spoke by phone with the police involved in the case to tell them of Professor Rode?s views.

Giving evidence today, Detective Paul Johannsen told the court Professor Beasley had told him of Professor Rode?s experience with children aged eight to 10, who ? like Charlene ? had been born with HIV.

They deteriorated very quickly and died. Symptoms included brain deterioration, tearing radiating from the anus, and watery diarrhoea.

The trial was told earlier about Charlene being found with breathing difficulties one morning and dying in hospital less than 24 hours later. During the medical treatment, anal tearing was discovered.

The crown prosecutor Chris Lange also received a call from Professor Beasley after he had shown Professor Rode photographs and the post mortem report which he had on his laptop.

Professor Rode had reviewed the information and was of the view that it may be a case of sexual assault and suffocation, but wanted to confer with his colleagues.

He wanted further information to prepare a definitive report.

Detective Johannsen told the court of the ?electronic phase? of the police investigation when phones were tapped and listening devices were placed in the Gwaze family?s house. The surveillance provided nothing that was used in evidence in the trial.

Pathologist Dr Martin David Sage told the court there was no acceptable cause for Charlene?s rapid death and asphyxia must be considered as a possible cause.

There was no sign of manual strangulation. She had died of multiple organ failure and no natural causes could be found. There were genital injuries and fine haemorrhages in the anus.

She had pre-existing widespread lung disease, part of her chronic HIV infection, but it was not an imminent threat to life, he said.

The trial will resume on Monday before Justice Lester Chisholm and a jury.