Konia 'left pub with murder victims'

Security cameras recorded a man accused of murdering two Feilding pensioners leaving a local pub with them shortly before they were stabbed to death.

Ted Ferguson, 73, and Margaret Waldin, 76, spent their last day alive drinking with friends at the Manchester Tavern.

Their bloodied bodies were discovered the following day at Mr Ferguson's pensioner flat.

David Konia, 52, is charged with murdering them in May.

Footage from the cameras was yesterday played in Palmerston North District Court where a depositions hearing will determine whether there is enough evidence for the unemployed Feilding man to stand trial.

Detective Warren Jonson said Mr Ferguson had arrived at the pub around 1pm and was joined by Mrs Waldin about 5.30pm.

The couple spent the evening at a table near the bar where friends came and went throughout the night, he told the court.

Konia was filmed entering the pub just after 10pm.

Minutes later Mr Ferguson was seen leaving through the same door. Mrs Waldin followed about 30 seconds later with Konia directly behind her.

Mrs Waldin returned soon after and stayed for another hour. The two men did not return.

Manchester Tavern owner Wayne Flynn said earlier that he had seen a man leaving the pub with the pensioners but did not believe it was Konia.

Konia had sat next to Mrs Waldin in the gaming room three weeks before she was killed, he said. That day Konia won $340, then shouted Mrs Waldin and her friends a drink to celebrate.

Mr Flynn described Konia as a quiet, softly spoken man and said he saw him drink only on the day he won on the pokies.

The hearing continues today and is expected to take up to two weeks.

- NZPA