Feilding murder accused had visions, court told

Ted Ferguson and Margaret Waldin were killed in May.

The man accused of stabbing two elderly Feilding friends to death told neighbours he had a vision about the killings, Palmerston North District Court was told today.

David Konia is charged with murdering Ted Ferguson, 73, and Margaret Waldin, 76, in Mr Ferguson's pensioner flat in May.

Crown Prosecutor Ben Vanderkolk said the pair were last seen leaving the Manchester Tavern in Feilding within half an hour of each other during the evening of May 27.

Mr Ferguson left before his companion who would stay at his flat one or two nights a week.

The couple's bloodied bodies were found the next day by police who went to investigate after neighbours and friends became concerned for their safety when there was no activity from the house.

Mrs Waldin had not even put down her groceries after arriving at Mr Ferguson's flat when she was stabbed six times in the hand, chest and back, Mr Vanderkolk told the court.

After attacking the 76-year-old, the killer went into the bedroom, where he stabbed Mr Ferguson 21 times in the right arm and chest, he said. The 73-year-old's body was found in his night attire lying face down, with his right arm extended.

"Both suffered fatal wounds to the heart."

After attacking Mr Ferguson, the killer "for no apparent reason" stabbed Mrs Waldin again in the back before locking the front door and leaving through the back door.

Some days after the deaths, Konia, 52, told a neighbour he had a vision of Mr Ferguson's body lying with his arm outstretched, surrounded in yellow light, Mr Vanderkolk said.

"Street light casts a yellow glow within Ted Ferguson's flat at night," he added.

During an interview with police on June 16, Konia broke down and began jabbing his side with his index finger, he said.

The Crown will call 32 witnesses -- including friends of the couple, associates of Konia, police and forensic experts -- during a depositions hearing to determine whether there is sufficient evidence for the unemployed Feilding man to stand trial.

Konia, who is in custody but was permitted to sit next to his lawyer Fergus Steedman for the duration of today's hearing, showed no emotion as relatives of the dead friends began to give evidence.

The hearing before Justices of the Peace George Hill and Tineke Stokes is set down for two weeks.

- NZPA