The man facing the murder of a member of the Melanesian Brotherhood in north-west Guadalcanal last year is likely to enter his plea, July 20.
Maelyn Bird of Emerald Lawyers who represents Francis Au confirmed yesterday her client will possibly take his plea on the next court date.
She also added that the defence would by then also informs the court on the type of preliminary inquiry to be conducted on the case.
Principal Magistrate Ricky Iomea also ordered prosecution to provide full disclosures in the meantime.
Public Prosecutor Margaret Suifa’asia told the court prosecution has served the first set of disclosures to the defence before court last week.
She said the second set of disclosures will be served after court as she had just received the materials sought from police on Friday.
Au was accused of the gruesome murder of Novice Jackson Lodo on 29 October 2014.
Novice Lodo, from Masi village, east Guadalcanal, and a colleague were returning to their centre at Tabalia from Honiara when he met his fate between 10pm and 11pm that day.
His colleague survived the attack.
Police alleged Au attacked Lodo while he and his companion, a third year novice, were walking home along the Tamboko road.
It was alleged pair were taking a rest on the way to light their home- made tobacco when the accused and two other men approached them.
Police alleged while the two men stood at the back, Au came forward and told the two novices that he is the “criminal” in the area.
He asked them where they are going and the two novices told the accused that they are going to Tabalia and that they are novices.
It was alleged Au told the two novices that he will kill them even though they are novices and thinking that he made a joke, the deceased’s companion laughed.
Police alleged that the accused then stepped forward and started attacking the deceased.
The deceased’s companion fled the scene.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
