NEW trial dates for the matter of the four men accused of the shooting incident that occurred in 2014 at the Mbike Island Resort in Central Islands Province will be fixed on October 14.
The defendants Jim Aita, Aikan Maelausia, Harrison Niumalefo, and Billy Kanakana Ringasui are facing trial for the charges of Attempted Murder, Willful and Unlawful Damage of Property, Attempt to Destroy Property by Explosives, Possession of Firearm without Firearm Licence, Possession of Ammunition without Firearm Licence and Discharging Firearm in Public.
All the defendants, except for Niumalefo who was reportedly sick, appeared in the High Court on summon.
However, their lawyer did not turn up as he was engaged with an election petition case that was mentioned in the High Court at the same time on Monday.
Judge Maina, having expressed his disappointment in the absence of their lawyer, told the defendants to think about getting another lawyer.
He told the defendants that either they find a new lawyer or if they wish to continue engaging their current lawyer then the lawyer must attend court on the next date.
Judge Maina also told the defendants that whether their lawyer turns up or not for the trial, the hearing will proceed.
A first trial listed for this matter in May last year did not eventuate due to the non-appearance of two crucial witnesses of the prosecution.
The four defendants are charged in relation to the arson and shooting incidents that occurred in the early hours of 9 December 2014 when 17 newly elected Members of Parliament were on a retreat at the Mbike Resort.
It was alleged that between 2am and 3am, a group of armed men arrived at the resort in a fiberglass boat with firearms and discriminately fired at the Sun Express boat and towards the resort where the MPs were camping.
Those men later threw petrol onto the Sun Express Boat, which had transported the MPs to Mbike and lit the petrol.
Following the attack, the men left the scene.
Private Lawyer John Taupongi represents all the defendants, whilst Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze appears for the crown.
ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
