Court hearing for Kaiwi’s murder charge to start on Friday

THE National Court in Waigani has fixed Friday to hear the case of Bhosip Kaiwi who allegedly tortured his wife Jenelyn Kennedy to death in June 2020.
This follows confirmation from both the state lawyer and defence counsel’s that they were ready to submit their pre-trial report.
Both lawyers yesterday also advised the court on the number of witnesses who would be called to provide to testify.
Acting Judge Laura Wawun-Kuvi then fixed hearing for Friday to Tuesday.
Kaiwi was then remanded in the Bomana Prison.
He was alleged to have assaulted Jenelyn from June 17, 2020, to June 23, 2020, in their home in Korobosea, Port Moresby.
Jenelyn was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital’s emergency ward but she died due to continuous beatings. Kaiwi, from South Waghi’s Minj village in Jiwaka, was initially charged with wilful murder.
However, during the committal process, the charge was withdrawn on Dec 1, 2020, as there was no intention to kill.
Kaiwi was not discharged from custody.
Also on Dec 1, 2020, a second information for murder was filed before the application for withdrawal of the wilful murder information was moved and granted.
Last March, a district court found enough evidence against Kaiwi for the murder and committed him to stand trial in the National Court.