The type of committal hearing to be conducted on two men accused of the murder of a man in West Honiara this year will be made known in court on August 12.
This was after Michael Holara of Public Solicitor’s Office confirmed to the court, Wednesday he has now received full disclosures on the case and the next step is for a committal hearing to be conducted.
However, the defence will have to elect a form of preliminary inquiry whether it will be a short or a long form preliminary inquiry.
Public Prosecutor Jasper Anisi who appeared on instructions of his colleague Margaret Suifa’asia said he was instructed to ask for an adjournment.
He said this is for the defence to elect which form of preliminary inquiry to be conducted on the case.
Principal Magistrate Jim Seuika therefore adjourned the matter for Holara to indicate to the court on the next appearance the type of preliminary inquiry he elected.
Joe Laumama Wale and Peter Wale are both jointly charged with murder.
A third accused, Dominic Kwanasau was discharged of the murder charge on a previous court appearance.
His case was withdrawn under section 190 (2) (b) (ii) of the Criminal Procedure Code (CPC) due to insufficient evidence.
Police will be carrying out further investigations on his case and in the event they found sufficient evidence, police can reinstate the charge against him.
The men were charged in relation to an allegation on the late evening of 14 June 2015 at the National Provident Fund (NPF) recreational area opposite Town Ground.
The deceased in this matter was attending a family fundraising that was held at the recreational area when he allegedly had an argument with a person by the name of Dominic Lusu.
It was alleged after the argument with Lusu, the deceased went into a leaf hut where a live band was performing and went behind the band members.
Joe and Peter allegedly approached the deceased and assaulted him until he fell to the ground.
Witnesses found the deceased laying on the ground and took him back to his home but his condition worsened and was taken to the National Referral Hospital.
The deceased died at the hospital.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
