Two men accused of the murder of the Chinese business couple at their shop at Town Ground, west Honiara over the Easter weekend will appear again in court on July 11.
Thats when Raymond Keota and Jimson Goufi are expected to enter their pleas to the two counts of murder against them.
Public Prosecutor Andrew Kelesi told the court yesterday that investigation is now completed and full disclosures were already served to the defence counsel.
The only thing left is for both accused to plea and a committal hearing to be conducted to send the matter to the High Court for trial.
Prosecution is ready for the committal hearing but the defence are not yet ready.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea then adjourned the matter and further remanded both accused in custody.
The two accused are facing the double murder of the Chinese couple on the Easter weekend, on April 15.
Prosecution alleged Goufi who was the couple’s security let Keota inside the shop on that evening of the alleged offending.
As soon as he entered the building, Keota allegedly pulled out a long bush knife and struck Gong Zhen Lao (husband) who was busy with business papers.
Keota then allegedly went and got hold of the same bush knife and repeatedly struck the victim which landed the victim on the floor.
Prosecution also alleged Keota attacked Lao’s wife with a kitchen knife when she came out from the kitchen to check on her husband after hearing noises.
He allegedly wounded her throat with the kitchen knife.
When she was no longer breathing, both accused then allegedly helped themselves looting money from the shop cashier and bottle shop, packed it in a school bag before exiting the building.
The following morning Goufi and other female workers of the shop went to work and discovered the couple was dead.
Police alleged it was Goufi who climbed the fence and went into the building and upon his return informed the female workers the couple were lying dead inside the shop.
Both accused then allegedly escaped to Malaita with large amounts of cash after the alleged killing.
Goufi first escaped from police in Malaita but then surrendered on 15 May.
Keota was arrested six days later on May 21.
Howard Lawry and Michael Holara of Public Solicitor’s Office are representing both accused.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
