Nine members of a New Zealand family will be named tomorrow after being charged over the exorcism-style manslaughter of a 22-year-old woman.
The six women and three men have pleaded not guilty in New Zealand's High Court to the manslaughter of Janet Moses during an indigenous Maori curse-lifting ceremony, known as a makutu.
Moses drowned in October 2007 when water was poured down her throat as part of the ceremony in the town of Wainuiomata, near Wellington.
The ten accused had applied to have their names suppressed, but this morning Justice Simon France ruled that name suppression would be lifted at midday tomorrow for those charged with manslaughter.
In court yesterday, prosecutor Kate Feltham said that Moses' behaviour had changed after her grandmother died, several months before the exorcism.
The curse-lifting ceremony started with prayers but became more intense, with family members shouting "get out" and "leave her alone" in an attempt to purge the evil spirits, Feltham said.
"Several people also leant over Janet, placed their mouths over her eyeballs and tried to suck at her eyes in an attempt to remove the curse," she said.
Water was then poured on Moses' face, down her throat and into her eyes while she was restrained during the ceremony, attended by more than 30 people at her grandparents' house.
"At times Janet was restrained while the water was poured over her and if she called out or tried to push those pouring the water away, the restraining simply increased."
Defence lawyer Mike Antunovic said the accused believed Moses was possessed and they were trying to help her.
During the ceremony, other members of the family were also believed to have become possessed by the curse and were also cleansed.
A 14-year-old girl had her eyes gouged and water poured down her throat, and two people have been charged with injuring her.
Those charged with the girl's ill-treatment will continue to have their names suppressed, Justice France ruled.
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