East Kwaio murder judgement set for October 6
JUDGEMENT for two men who stood trial for the murder of a woman in East Kwaio, Malaita, in 2019 will be delivered on October 6.
This followed the closing submissions on Tuesday before Justice Maelyn Bird.
Sonny Bakua and John Manassah had been tried in the trial for the charge of murder.
The prosecution called eight witnesses for their case.
At the end of the prosecution case, lawyer representing Bakua made a no case to answer.
Ms Bird, however, found Bakua had a case to answer and that required him to make his defence.
For the defence case, Bakua called two witnesses whilst he remained silent.
Manassah also remained silent and did not call any witnesses.
The prosecution alleged that the duo involved in a fight between two disputing parties at Afeala’a Village, Kwaibaita River area in East Kwaio, on 19 November 2019.
The fight involving knives and other weapons resulted in the death of a woman.
Several other people were also wounded during the fight.
Ben Alasia of Public Solicitor’s Office represents Bakua while his colleague Benham Ifuto’o represents Manassah.
Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Rachel Olutimayin, is the prosecutor.
Woman awaits sentence for manslaughter
A WOMAN who pleaded guilty to a manslaughter charge in connection to the death of an elderly woman in Malaita in 2016 is awaiting sentence in the High Court.
Ida Gwaro was initially charged with murder but the charge was later reduced to manslaughter due to the evidence on file.
Gwaro was suffering from mental illness when she stabbed an elderly disabled woman to death with a bush knife at Gwaiau village in the highlands of north Malaita.
That was in June 2016.
The deceased died as a result of wounds sustained on her legs and hands.
Gwaro was shortly arrested, charged and remanded in custody.
She had been appearing in the Honiara Magistrates Court but since she was suspected of suffering of mental illness, a psychiatrist was requested to asses her in 2017.
Following the assessment, the psychiatrist confirmed Gwaro suffered from Paranoid Schizophrenia, a mental illness.
Gwaro’s matter was then sent to the Governor General (GG) for his consideration.
The GG then made recommendation for her to be kept at the Rove Correctional Centre to receive treatment.
In 2021, Gwaro went through another assessment and this time, the psychiatrist confirmed she was fit to take her plea.
She entered a not guilty plea to the murder charge against her and her matter was committed to the High Court for trial after a committal hearing.
When the matter went to the High Court, the prosecution having reviewed the evidence on file reduced the charge to manslaughter.
Gwaro then entered a guilty plea to the reduced charge.
With the sentencing submissions and mitigation done, this matter now awaits the handing down of the sentence.
Justice Leonard Maina, who had just returned from his leave, mentioned this matter yesterday and further adjourned it to October 27.
He will deliver the sentence once he completes his written sentence.
Ben Alasia of Public Solicitor’s Office represents Gwaro, whilst Public Prosecutor, Geitaba Waletofea, appears for the Crown.
