Betel nut argument leads to death

By BARBARA DERUAGE
THE hearing of a 45-year-old man, charged with killing his wife over the price of betel nuts, was adjourned awaiting an autopsy report.
Eko Mahovo, from Ihu’s Kilavi village, Gulf, allegedly murdered Freda Steven 32, between 6am and 7.30am on May 17 at Joyce Bay, Port Moresby.
It was mentioned that Mahovo confronted Steven and asked her to change her sales price of 50t for a whole betel nut to half a nut.
Steven disagreed and an argument broke out when Mahovo grabbed the 50t price tag and threw it on the ground.
Soon after the argument, Mahovo followed Steven who walked into a house.
A few minutes later, a loud and terrifying scream was heard.
The house owner then rushed in to check and saw Steven collapsing and saying that Mahovo had stabbed her.
Mahovo allegedly stabbed Steven on the back of her shoulder.
Steven was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital but she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Police prosecutor Constable Peter Samghy told the court that police investigations were nearly completed and that an autopsy report was needed for the case to proceed.
Waigani magistrate Ernest Wilmot adjourned the case to Sept 19.