Court refuses Pang’s request to remain silent

A COMMITTAL Court has refused the Sanctuary Hotel operations manager Jamie Pang’s submission through his lawyer to remain silent in his declaration statement and ordered for Pang to appear in court today.
Pang’s lawyer Phillip Tabuchi informed the Court in Waigani yesterday that Pang decided not to make any statement regarding the ruling on evidence against his rape charge and wanted it to proceed to the National Court for trial.
Magistrate Nii said the declaration statement should be made with Pang being present in the court room.
He then adjourned the mater to today and ordered for Pang to be brought from Bomana prison.
The court made a ruling on May 22 that there was sufficient evidence in the police file against Pang to be tried in the National Court for allegedly raping a 20-year-old woman in Port Moresby last year.
The issue on consent was raised in the case and the court, after considering the evidence and submissions, was satisfied that the victim did not give her consent for the alleged offence.
Court in its ruling said the victim was under the influence of drug when the alleged offence took place.
It said consent should be given freely without fear or without being under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
Pang was arrested on Feb 21 for allegedly raping Macki Jack on Oct 20, 2021 while being detained in custody at Bomana Detention Centre for breaching his visa condition by being in possession of firearms and drugs.
It was alleged that the Macki and her friend met Pang on their way up the stairs at Sanctuary hotel room.
Macki and her friend stayed at the boyfriend’s room and later brought to Pang’s room.
Pang then allegedly told the others to leave Macki in his room and allegedly forced her to take the drug until she was high.
It was alleged that Pang allegedly conducted an human immunodeficiency virus test on Macki and raped her without her consent.
It was further alleged that Pang’s driver sent Macki on a taxi to be taken home but the taxi driver allegedly raped her.
Subsequently, it was alleged that Macki was also raped by a policeman during the course of the event.