Son pleads guilty to hacking dad to death in the Gizo High Court Circuit, his sentence to be delivered on Friday
A YOUNG man who hacked his biological father to death with a bush knife in 2021 was found guilty of murder on Monday by the High Court during the Gizo Court Circuit, Western Province.
Linton Kule, 23, from Mereusu village, Vangunu, Marovo Lagoon, Western Province, committed the crime at the age of 21.
The incident occurred between 1am to 2am on 23rd November 2021 at a camp in Arara, New Georgia, Western Province, where the Eagon Plantation is situated.
According to the summary of facts read out in court on Monday by the prosecution, the deceased was the biological father of the accused and was 64 years of age at the time of his death.
Kule is the fifth child in a family of six.
The court heard that the deceased with three others were in a tent that night at the camp.
The incident occurred after Kule was smoking inside the tent and his father was unhappy with him.
The father uttered these words to Kule, “Eat dog.”
Upon hearing these words, Kule became offended and enraged, it was revealed.
“The deceased then went out and stood in front of the tent and the accused being unhappy, angrily took a bush knife and went straight to the father.
“He then struck the back of the father. At the same time, the father turned around and the knife struck him in right side of his head,” the summary further stated.
Kule then cut his father with the bush knife for the second time in the legs and he fell down in pain and cried out saying, “I’m dead. Come and look at me. I’m dying. Linton killed me,” the summary further added.
When the wife of the deceased heard the cry, she rushed to the scene and saw her son walk away into the dark with a bush knife.
Not long after, the deceased died. He was rushed to Arara Clinic and from there, he was transported to the Helena Goldie Hospital.
Kule was arrested and remanded on 26 November 2021.
He had spent one year and 8 months in custody at the Gizo Correctional Centre.
Kule was remorseful for his action although no compensation was paid, the court heard.
When asked by Justice Talasasa, if he understood and agreed with the facts read to him, Kule replied “Yes, I agree.”
Following his guilty plea, the court convicted Kule.
His sentencing is expected to be delivered this Friday.
He faces between 15 to 20 years in jail based on the mitigation factors provided by the defence on Monday.
Kule has a history of drug use, especially marijuana, the court heard.
He was further remanded at the Gizo Correctional Centre.
By MOFFAT MAMU
