Ballistic evidence vital

National

A MAGISTRATE says ballistic evidence is vital for cases involving the shooting of guns.
Waigani Committal Court Magistrate Cosmas Bidar was responding to an article in The National yesterday which mentioned Port Moresby Metropolitan Superintendent Ben Turi questioning the integrity of officers collecting ballistic evidence.
He committed a police officer to stand trial in the National Court for allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice and firing shots at another police officer.
Tony Kande, 39, from Imero village in the Watabung area of Eastern Highlands was charged with using threats, physical assault, and firing shots to intimidate Detective Sergeant Patrick Premenga on Oct 19, 2014, at the Games Village in Waigani. Kande was also charged with attempting to kill Premenga who was trying to serve a court document relating to contempt charges.
Bidar said evidence presented by police was sufficient to warrant the committal of Kande to the National Court.
It was alleged that Kande and other police officers went to Premenga’s house, threatened and assaulted him, and fired gunshots to intimidate him.
The matter will return to court on Oct 25 for Kande’s lawyer to prepare and file his client’s statements.
Kande’s bail has been extended.
Meanwhile, co-accused Henry Naio and Philip Pokop will appear at Waigani Committal Court next Wednesday for a ruling on the matter.