THE two accused for the manslaughter of a mentally ill person at the National Referral Hospital (NRH) compound in 2023 have pleaded guilty to the crime.
Michael Sodu and Philip Mamuala entered their guilty pleas on Tuesday after the prosecution reduced the charge from murder.
The charge reduction followed a successful plea bargain between the prosecution and their lawyers.
The accused were initially charged with murder and the murder trial was scheduled to start yesterday before Judge Rex Faukona.
However, the prosecution agreed to the plea bargain, entered a Nolle Prosequi (to no longer prosecute) on the murder charge and filed the amended charge of manslaughter.
After the accused entered their guilty pleas, Judge Faukona adjourned the matter to Friday for the sentencing submissions and mitigations.
The crime occurred on 2 November 2023.
The deceased, who suffered from a mental illness, visited the Mental Health Unit at the NRH at around 11am on the day of the incident.
He normally frequented the Mental Health Unit because he suffered from a mental illness.
The deceased headed to the seafront market within the hospital compound where he reacted aggressively towards bystanders and started chasing and throwing stones at them.
This behaviour continued until the afternoon.
Sodu attacked the deceased, but ceased the assault after being informed of the victim’s mental health condition.
Later, while the deceased was lying down at the market area, Mamuala attacked him and Sodu joined him.
Despite attempting to defend himself, the deceased was unable to do so due to his position.
He tried to sit up but, eventually fell back, struggled to breathe and died on the scene.
Lawyers from the Public Solicitor’s Office (PSO) Ben Alasia and Rochelle Palmer represent the two accused.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara