THE man accused of his wife’s death at Lambi, West Guadalcanal in 2009, will this afternoon know whether he has a case to answer to the manslaughter charge against him.
His lawyer has lodged a no case to answer submission at the close of the prosecution case yesterday.
Prosecution called five witnesses including two doctors.
John Popoe was accused of sitting on his wife’s shoulder with force, which caused her to die of hypovolmic shock due to spleenic injury.
It was alleged that Popoe had an argument with his wife on the evening of 19 September 2009 over cucumber seeds.
Later that night, prosecution alleged he looked for money they kept in a money box to buy tobacco roll but could not find any.
It was alleged that he then looked for his wife but could not find her so he went and ask for a tobacco smoke from the shop promising them he will pay for it the next day.
He then later found his wife sitting in their kitchen hut and went and allegedly sat on top of her left shoulder.
Prosecution then alleged that not long after the incident, the deceased cried out for help and ran over to her neighbour, Cecilia.
It was alleged she was crying out in pain and said she was going to die.
She was taken back to her house but complained all through-out the night of pain all over her body.
Custom doctors who came and tried to help could not stop the pain and she was taken to Lambi clinic.
Prosecution further alleged that despite given first aid and medical care to ease the pain, she continued to struggle with pain until the early hours of September 20, when she died.
Popoe is being represented by Resly Brook of Public Solicitor’s Office while Crown Prosecutor Florence Joel is representing the State.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
