A fatal exorcism in a smoke-filled, flooded flat packed with people chanting, vomiting and soiling themselves was either "utter hysteria" or an act of love, the High Court at Wellington was told today.
In the closing address of the five-week-long manslaughter case, crown prosecutor Grant Burston said "fatal reasoning" and "utter hysteria" led to the death of mother of two Janet Moses.
Ms Moses, 22, died in October 12 2007, after water was forced into her mouth and eyes to flush out demons and lift a makutu, or curse, on her.
The nine people accused of killing her were all her whanau members.
The Crown accepted the family believed the Wainuiomata woman was possessed by demons at the time of her death, but told the jury to use their "common sense and Kiwi judgment" when making their decision.
"This case is so bizarre, so outside the normal range of experience to most of us here.
"This is not about an inquiry into whether demons or spirits or makutu exist. This is all about whether the accused are guilty of the manslaughter of Janet Moses."
What the family thought was makutu was a misinterpretation of an emerging mental illness, with the situation evolving into a "supernatural battle that needed to be fought", ending with "tragic consequences", he said.
"The family had decided it was a puzzle the family had to solve", leading to them reconstructing their memories to justify their beliefs after the event, Mr Burston said.
The family believed the makutu was linked to the theft of a concrete lion statue from the Greytown Hotel in the Wairarapa.
"The family got it wrong. It wasn't a taonga. It was a garden ornament with yoghurt smeared over it to make it look old."
The family was self-contained, with little contact with external society, he said.
Representing John Rawiri, lawyer Paul Paino said "Janet" wanted the family she loved, respected and trusted to help cure her of what she believed was demonic possession.
"The family has a process of ridding themselves of evil spirits that had been done for generations and generations," Mr Paino said, saying the family's beliefs dated from pre-European times.
It was very, very hard for Maori people to talk about makutu, he said.
Representing Glenys Wright, Mike Antunovic said the close whanau had put the rest of their lives on hold for a week because they loved Ms Moses and she wanted their help.
"Matters like this can evoke a range of feelings, from disapproval, right through to strong condemnation.
"But is it safe to come to any conclusion that is safe, firm and above doubt?"
This morning, Justice Simon France discharged Georgina Rawiri, saying there was not enough evidence to charge her.
Defence lawyers would continue their final addresses tomorrow.
The remaining accused, who have all pleaded not guilty, are John Tahana Rawiri, 49, Tanginoa Apanui, 42, Hall Jones Wharepapa, 46, Angela Orupe, 36, Gaylene Tangiohororere Kepa, 44, Aroha Gwendoline Wharepapa, 48, Alfred Hughes Kepa, 48, and Glenys Lynette Wright, 52.
