* Murder suspect now has lawyer
* Juvenile facing attempt murder bailed
* Disclosures sought for rape case
Murder suspect now has lawyer
THE suspect facing the murder of a man at Utupua Island in Temotu Province in March is now armed with a lawyer.
Public Solicitor’s lawyer Clifton Ruele last week confirmed he will be representing Mathew Rauio, who faces one count of murder.
He then sought disclosures from the prosecution.
Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze however said a prosecutor is yet to be allocated for this matter, since this is one of a new matter.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite said this is also a new matter for the Public Solicitors’ Office but they have now allocated a lawyer for Rauio.
He told Mr Zoze that it is the duty of the prosecution to allocate a prosecutor for this case.
When asked on the update of investigations into this matter, Mr Zoze said they are yet to receive outstanding disclosures from the investigators.
Mr Chite having heard from both counsels adjourned the matter to July 4.
He then ordered prosecution to serve disclosures they have at hand to the defence before the next court date and to follow up on the outstanding disclosures.
He said this is to allow the defence to obtained instructions in the meantime.
Rauio was further remanded in custody.
Rauio and his co-accused Barnabas Babwe were accused of killing the deceased in March at Utupua.
Babwe was already remanded in police custody in Temotu province.
The deceased in this matter is Babwe’s brother.
Prosecution alleged the two accused allegedly murdered the deceased in belief that killing a close relative will result in Babwe receiving some spiritual powers as Rauio.
Rauio allegedly claimed to have powers of the ‘Wild Man’ that enable him to walk invisibly in the village.
A belief in Lata, Temotu Province is that the “Wild Man” who is half beast; half man usually creeps around at night and either attacked you or cast black magic on you.
It was believed among the locals that after the ‘Wild Man’ killed a man, they bring the person back to life.
In some cases they believed people went back home and dies few hours later or days later.
It was alleged two accused after allegedly killing the deceased however failed to bring him back to life.
It was alleged that the area on which they allegedly attacked the deceased was a spot blessed by Tasius (members of a Christian brotherhood) and therefore the ‘Wild Man’ powers failed to bring the deceased back to life.
Juvenile facing attempt murder bailed
A 14 year-old juvenile who is facing an attempted murder charge for allegedly stabbing another teenager at Weathercoast area in Guadalcanal, has been released on bail last week.
The young man who cannot be named for legal reasons was brought to the Honiara Magistrates’ Court last Tuesday.
He is yet to be legally represented.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite who heard the matter had the young man released on bail given that he is a juvenile.
The young accused was released on a cash bail of $1,000 and a principal bail of $5,000.
His next court appearance will be next Wednesday, July 4.
The alleged incident occurred at Guluvoa main road, Marasa in Weathercoast of Guadalcanal on June 2.
Prosecution alleged the 14 year-old stabbed the alleged victim on his stomach using a knife.
According to the allegation, the knife was a modified one that was used to prone cocoa trees.
The accused allegedly stabbed the alleged victim after the alleged victim made some jokes while they were both on their way to the beach.
The alleged victim sustained injuries to his stomach.
He was taken to the hospital and had been discharged awaiting reviews from the doctor.
Disclosures sought for rape case
Prosecution has been asked to provide outstanding disclosures to the lawyer representing the man accused of raping a disabled girl in East Guadalcanal in April, by close of business today.
Principal Magistrate Leonard Chite made the orders last week when mentioning the matter of Lawrence Gray Tuita, who faces one count of rape.
He also made orders for the prosecution to follow up on the police investigators regarding the outstanding document in this matter.
Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze who appeared on instructions of his colleague Patricia Tabepuda said they are yet to receive the medical report of the alleged victim.
He said they need more time as they are yet to get a feedback from the investigator regarding the medical report.
A seven days adjournment was sought by the prosecution but since all magistrates are engaged whole of this week in a training at the High Court, Mr Chite gave a 14 day adjournment.
Public Solicitor’s lawyer William Kadi who appeared last week confirmed that his colleague Rodney Manebosa is now representing Tuita.
Tuita was accused of raping the 18 year-old disabled girl at a cocoa plantation in East Guadalcanal.
