Boyfriend killer jailed 10 years

By BEVERLY PETER
THE National Court yesterday jailed a 21-year-old woman to 10 years for killing her economist boyfriend, Samuel Joseph, in Port Moresby four years ago.
When sentencing Lindsay Takiabu of Hela, Acting Judge Laura Wawun-Kuvi said violence and taking of life should not be entertained in the community.
“Although Lindsay was emotionally distressed by the deceased’s (Samuel) action at the time, a life has been lost which cannot be replaced,” Acting Judge Wawun-Kuvi.
She said she had considered Takiabu’s age at that time as she was 18-year-old and was in an intimate relationship with Samuel and his action had caused her to be emotionally hurt.
“Lindsay, being young, she will be able to serve her sentence in prison, come out and live her life to the fullest whilst Samuel’s life was lost,” she said.
“Lindsay’s parents would still have her while Samuel’s parents have lost a son and his siblings have lost a brother.”
Judge Wawun-Kuvi said Joseph was a recent graduate of the University of Papua New Guinea who was just embarking on his carrier and losing his life early was a great loss to the family and the tribe.
She said Takiabu who was in grade 11 at that time and believed that Joseph would marry her.
It was before the court that on Nov 26, 2019, Joseph returned from his first work trip to Fiji and was having drinks with his twin brother and some friends at his rental unit at Waigani which belonged to Takiabu’s parents. On the same day, Takiabu went there to see Joseph and found that he was also in the company of his other girlfriend.
An argument arose between her and Joseph which resulted in her stabbing him on his chest which led to his death.
Takiabu was charged with wilful murder, pleaded not guilty and a trial ensued. On Sept 2, 2022, she was found guilty of manslaughter.