* Mentally disabled man’s case tomorrow
* Firearm trial continues Thursday
Mentally disabled man’s case tomorrow
THE case of a mentally disabled man accused of breaching the Covid-19 related lockdown in May has been adjourned to tomorrow.
Jeffery Basiota who faces one count of restriction of movement was supposed to appear before the Honiara Magistrate’s Court yesterday.
However, he was not present in court.
As a result, his matter was further adjourned to tomorrow.
A psychiatrist had previously confirmed that Basiota is a person of an unsound mind or has a mental disability.
Following this finding, Principal Magistrate Felix Hollison will be inquiring into the mental condition of the accused.
If in the event Hollison is satisfied Basiota is mentally disabled then the prosecution will be writing a letter to the Governor-General (GG) for his recommendation regarding this matter.
That is why Basiota needs to be present in court for this purpose.
Basiota was accused of breaching the lockdown on May 21 this year.
He was allegedly arrested after police sighted him walking along the road beside Woodford School, Honiara at 7 am on that day.
Basiota’s place of residence is allegedly at an area behind the Solomon Islands National University (SINU) at Kukum.
Bobby Harunari of Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused while Public Prosecutor Paul Junior Fanasia appears for the Crown.
Firearm trial continues tomorrow
RIAL on the case of a man accused of discharging a firearm in Tinge, Honiara this year will continue in the Honiara Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.
Mostyn Junior Maenu’u is facing charges of discharging a firearm in a public place and possession of a firearm without a firearm license.
His co-accused Joseph Wale is facing one count of malicious damage.
Hearing of evidence into this matter started on Monday afternoon before Chief Magistrate Emma Garo.
Following yesterday’s hearing, the matter was then further adjourned to tomorrow for the continuation of the trial.
The prosecution is still calling their witnesses.
Maenu’u was accused of discharging a firearm following an ongoing disagreement between the accused and the complainant’s family at Tinge Ridge this year.
