Court frees three men of murder charge

THREE men charged with murder had their case struck out by a Lae committal court on Monday for lack of evidence.
Jepter Jeffery Kazo, 20, from Lufa’s Tenspet village in Eastern Highlands; Amos John, 25, from Irelya village in Enga; and, Lasman Mike from Sinasina’s Piau village in Chimbu appeared before Magistrate Pious Tapil who dismissed the case because of insufficient evidence provided by police.
“This is a court of evidence and the evidence provided are inconsistent, the witnesses’ statements do not add up,” Magistrate Tapil said.
“It is a clear cut and paste, all the witnesses’ statements are inconsistent.”
He warned and cautioned the three defendants before releasing them.
“Be agents of positive change, go out there and be better people in the society, you are lucky there is not enough evidence, stay away from trouble and don’t come back to court.”
Police report stated that last Dec 24, at around 8pm the three defendants were drinking and Kazo had an argument with his uncle and cut him on the head with a knife and without any reason attacked Luke Kawa.
Kawa’s relatives retaliated and attacked Section One of Kapiak Street where a big fight took place.
Police said James Wewa allegedly came to stop the fight and was slashed with bus knives.