A TRIAL within a trial (voir dire) will be conducted in April on the case of the four men facing armed robbery charges in Honiara.
The voir dire trial will be conducted on April 4 before Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika.
Frank Firimolea, Fred Taebo Dara, Lawrence Liliva and a 15-year-old juvenile appeared briefly on Friday for an interim mention and were further remanded in custody.
They are due to appear in court for another two interim mention dates next month before voir dire hearing starts.
A trial proper will be conducted after the voire dire hearing ended.
All the accused are facing various charges in relation to alleged armed robberies in Honiara last year.
The alleged robberies occurred on different dates in May and June last year.
Prosecution alleged that during those months, there were a number of armed robbery and break-ins cases reported to police from the Ngossi area, west Honiara; to Ranadi, east Honiara.
The incidents involved a group of armed masked men between the ages of 15 to 30.
It was alleged this group invaded homes of expatriates, businesses peoples, as well as those of Solomon Islanders and removed valuable properties and money.
A number of home owners sustained injuries during the robbery incidents and some have to be flown overseas for medical treatment.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
