Adjourned ‘for the last time’

 THE case of six soldiers charged with murdering of a 17-year-old student in Port Moresby last year has been adjourned “for the last time” to allow police to complete the investigations and produce files.

Waigani Committal Court Magistrate John Kaumi adjourned their case to March 16 after their lawyer, Ignatius Mambei, made an application for dismissal of their case because of police failure to complete investigations within a reasonable time.

Mambei said the court practice allowed for three months for the police to complete the investigations and serve the files to court and the defendants.

Mambei said the case started in October last year and to date, it was about five months. Police had not done a post-mortem report.

Mambei said it was a waste of time and burden for the defendants, costing more in legal fees. 

“If the police completed their investigations, they could re-arrest them later,” he said.

Police prosecutor Sandra Holland said all investigations had been completed except for affidavits of two doctors that needed to be completed and inserted into the files.

Holland asked for another adjournment of the case.

Kaumi said the case was serious and of public interest, and the rights of the defendants for their case to be dealt within a reasonable time was also considered.

He said the court was at liberty to receive instructions from the police.

“I will allow last adjournment of the case,” Kaumi said.

Kaumi said Mambei’s application would be considered on March 16.

The soldiers were accused of murdering Jeremiah Yinu, a Grade 11 student, who was left in coma in hospital with head injuries for sometimes before his death.

The soldiers are Kenneth Yangun from Mendi, Southern Highlands; Jude Nidung, from Finschhafen, Morobe; Alwin Matiabe from Koroba, Hela; Gregory Tuaki fromBogia, Madang; David Travolta from Huon Gulf, Morobe; and Tobias Samson from Baiyer, Western Highlands.