69-year-old man escapes death penalty, gets 18yrs with hard labour for murder

By CLARISSA MOI
A JUDGE has told a man that his old age perhaps saved him from a death sentence or life imprisonment when sentencing him for murder on Friday.
The 69-year-old, who stabbed a man at a settlement in Port Moresby, was jailed 18 years with hard labour by the Waigani National Court.
Justice George Manuhu, however, decided that John Dunamb, of Avatip village in Ambunti, East Sepik, will spend 14 years and eight months in prison after deducting time spent in custody for murder.
He stabbed Henry Sahu with a sharp object on Aug 7, 2018, between 10pm and 11pm at 5-Mile Ridge settlement. He died as a result.
According to Justice Manuhu, the trial had not revealed the motive of Dunamb’s action.
He said the death penalty or life imprisonment could not be imposed on him considering his age.
“You are fortunate that the prosecution did not insist on the death penalty,” he said.
“The death penalty was introduced by the Government because of widespread violent crimes.”