Wellington, June 8 NZPA - A Wainuiomata woman killed during a botched exorcism had been acting like a lion and speaking in "puzzles" after being possessed by spirits from a stolen statue, the High Court at Wellington was told today.

Wellington, May 19 NZPA - Five people were affected by bad spirits while performing a Maori exorcism ceremony in which a young woman drowned, a witness told the High Court at Wellington today.

Wellington, May 18 NZPA - A Maori exorcism ceremony, or makutu, in which a young woman drowned, was taken too far by a family out of its depth and lacking in cultural and spiritual guidance, the High Court at Wellington has been told.

A Wellington pathologist excluded all other possible causes to find Wainuiomata woman Janet Moses died of drowning in October 2007, the High Court at Wellington was told today.

Wellington, May 7 NZPA - A juror has been discharged from the High Court trial in Wellington of nine people charged with manslaughter following the October 2007 death of Wainuiomata woman Janet Moses.

Wellington, May 6 NZPA - A 14-year-old girl injured in a makutu, or Maori exorcism ceremony, which killed her cousin Janet Moses arrived at hospital with her eyes oozing blood, the High Court at Wellington was told today.

Wellington, May 6 NZPA - Name suppression has been lifted for nine family members charged over the death of Janet Moses during a makutu, or Maori exorcism ceremony, in Wainuiomata.