Mentally-ill accused to continue taking medication
AN accused person suffering from mental illness will continue to take his medication at the Rove Correctional facility until he is fit to take his plea.
Eddie Torona is facing one count of Arson and one count of Intimidation.
His matter was taken to the Honiara Magistrate Court last week where it was heard his matter will continue to be mentioned until the doctor conducted another assessment.
Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi, when mentioning Mr Torona’s matter, said it was quite sad that the country does not have a mental institution to look after such people.
“Kilu’ufi hospital in Malaita is no longer operating,” Magistrate Taeburi said.
Ms Taeburi said Torona is suffering mental illness and they have already gone through the process of sending the matter to the Governor General to make orders about where the state should keep him.
She said after all that procedure is exhausted, the orders are that Torona be kept at the Correctional Center because there is no institute for the mentally-ill.
“We have already agreed as to how to progress matter.
“We say to keep him there and the doctor will visit him and continue to administer drugs on him so he returns to some stability in his mind.”
She said the doctor will asses him in the Correctional Center and produce another report.
“We want to reach stage where doctor find him fit to take his plea.”
Public Prosecutor Irene Mae, who appeared on instruction of her colleague Herrick Lautalo, said Torona is currently undergoing treatment for six months until December.
She said the doctor will make another assessment in December.
Magistrate Taeburi therefore said she will extend Torona’s remand and since he is on remand, she will have this matter mentioned after every 14 days.
She, however, adviced the Correctional Officers not to bring Torona to court after every 14 days for interim mentions until on October 24.
Torona allegedly set fire to a building at Tauvarogo in Makira-Ulawa Province on 26 December 2021.
He was also accused of intimidating another person at Nasuta Village also in Makira-Ulawa Province on 24 August 2022.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
Kakalu arson trial continues
THREE people accused of setting two houses on fire and assaulting a man in Kakalu Village in Wanderer Bay, West Guadalcanal, in 2022 has started in the Honiara Magistrate Court.
The defendants John Longatabo, Saverio Mate and Lency Raga are on trial for two counts of Arson and one count of Assault Causing Actual Bodily Harm.
The trial was conducted before Principal Magistrate Fatima Taeburi.
Public Prosecutor Paul Jnr Fanasia, in his opening address on Thursday, said the Crown’s case was that on 12 October 2022 between 12 noon and 12 midnight in Kakalu village, the three defendants with groups of men and women headed to the complainant’s property and set fire to two of his dwelling houses.
“It is the prosecution’s case that this fire was no accident,”
He added that it was a deliberate act, intentionally done by one of the defendants (Mate) with the assistance of the other two defendants.
“The prosecution will present clear and compelling evidence to prove that the three defendants are responsible for the burning.
“The complainant will re-count seeing the defendants actively use matches and dried sago palm leaves to burn his two dwelling houses.
“The motive behind this act will also become clear as we present evidence on what transpired and ignited the incident,” Mr Fanasia further added.
Having opened the Crown’s case, Mr Fanasia called the first Crown’ witness, the complainant of the arson charges, Mr Tova.
Mr Tova gave evidence through a translator on Thursday and the matter was then adjourned to yesterday for the defence counsel to cross examine him.
However, the translator was busy on Friday so the matter was adjourned to this week Monday for the defence to cross examine Mr Tova.
The prosecution will call three other witnesses, including medical evidence.
It was alleged that a first group of boys went to ask compensation from Mr Tova, claiming Tova had stolen their live pig.
They asked the complainant that he must give them some money or they will return and burn down his house.
Later, it was alleged, the three defendants went and set fire to the complainant’s two houses.
They also allegedly assaulted the complainant’s brother-in-law.
Public Solicitor’s lawyers Delilah Kukura, Ron Dicky Pulekera and Lazarus Waroka represent the defendants.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
