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New Zealand 'Pumpkin' trial opens New Zealand 'Pumpkin' trial opens
(about 7 hours later)
A New Zealand court has begun hearing the case against Nai Yin Xue, 55, who is accused of strangling his wife. A man who allegedly abandoned his young daughter in Australia has pleaded not guilty to his wife's murder at the opening of his trial in New Zealand.
Prosecutor Aaron Perkins told the High Court in Auckland that An An Liu, 27, was killed with a man's neck tie. Nai Yin Xue, 55, is accused of strangling An An Liu, 27, in Auckland.
Police found her body outside the couple's home days after their three year-old daughter was abandoned at a railway station in Australia.Police found her body outside the couple's home days after their three year-old daughter was abandoned at a railway station in Australia.
Staff there nicknamed her "Pumpkin" after the clothing she was wearing, in a case that drew global attention.Staff there nicknamed her "Pumpkin" after the clothing she was wearing, in a case that drew global attention.
Mr Xue was brought back to New Zealand from the US last year to face charges. Mr Xue was arrested in the United States in February 2008 after he was recognised from media coverage of the case, and deported to New Zealand for overstaying his visa.
He has pleaded not guilty to the murder charge, first laid against him in September 2007.
'Violent''Violent'
Unusually, an all-female jury was selected in the High Court. It has been told to ignore media coverage of any acts allegedly committed by Mr Xue outside New Zealand.Unusually, an all-female jury was selected in the High Court. It has been told to ignore media coverage of any acts allegedly committed by Mr Xue outside New Zealand.
The little girl has gone to live with her grandmother in ChinaThe little girl has gone to live with her grandmother in China
Prosecutor Aaron Perkins told the High Court in Auckland that An An Liu was killed with a man's neck tie in September 2007.
"Not guilty, I am innocent," Mr Xue told the court.
The prosecutor told the court that Mr Xue, a martial arts instructor, was a violent, domineering and controlling man who had threatened to kill his wife if she ever left him.The prosecutor told the court that Mr Xue, a martial arts instructor, was a violent, domineering and controlling man who had threatened to kill his wife if she ever left him.
He said An An Liu lived in fear of her husband, who was angry she had not given birth to a son.He said An An Liu lived in fear of her husband, who was angry she had not given birth to a son.
More than 90 witnesses are expected to be called by the prosecution, with some giving evidence via video link from Australia and the United States.More than 90 witnesses are expected to be called by the prosecution, with some giving evidence via video link from Australia and the United States.
Mr Xue was detained in the United States by people who recognised him from a television crime show several months after his wife's death. Mr Xue allegedly abandoned his toddler daughter on a train platform in Melbourne, Australia, on his way to the US. Her plight was caught on security cameras.
He allegedly abandoned his toddler daughter on a train platform in Melbourne, Australia, on his way to the US. Her plight was caught on security cameras.
The little girl is now living with her grandmother in China.The little girl is now living with her grandmother in China.