A COMMITAL hearing will be conducted this Friday on the matter of the man who allegedly killed another man at the Nazareth Apostolic Centre (NAC) area in Central Guadalcanal in August.
The defendant Michael Manei is facing one count of Murder.
His matter was mentioned in court on Monday and the Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze said the matter was for the court to deliver a ruling on a committal hearing conducted into it.
However, Mr Zoze said according to instructions from his colleague Olivia Manu, there are some issues that the Crown needs to resolve.
The issues relate to the charge, which needs to be properly particularized.
Mr Zoze added that the disclosures on this mater were already sent to the Public Solicitor’s Office last month.
Chief Magistrate Emma Garo, therefore adjourned the matter to November 8, for a Short Form Preliminary Inquiry or committal hearing.
The purpose of the committal hearing is to determine whether there is enough evidence to commit the matter to the High Court for trial.
Having adjourned the matter, CM Garo ordered the prosecution to have the charge rectified.
Manei was studying Theology at NAC at the time of the offence, while the 50-year-old deceased was residing with his uncle at NAC.
On the evening of 21 August 2024, it was alleged that the defendant who was intoxicated had an argument with another man.
The deceased was fetching water from a nearby well when he heard the defendant and the other person arguing.
It was alleged that the deceased then swore at the defendant and told him to leave. The deceased told defendant that he would kill him (deceased) if did not leave.
The defendant then allegedly ran back to his dormitory and got hold of a bush knife.
He returned and allegedly argued with the deceased and challenged the deceased for a fight.
It was alleged the defendant then chased the deceased around the area.
The deceased, while running away from the defendant, slipped on a muddy spot and fell.
That was when the defendant allegedly used the bush knife to cut both of the defendant’s arms.
Manei then fled the scene, while the deceased ran back to the house with his severely injured arms.
He died a few minutes later.
The matter was reported to the police on the next day.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
