Court strikes out attempted murder case over lack of evidence

THE Lae Committal Court has struck out an attempted murder case and discharged the defendant because there was insufficient evidence.
The court described the evidence as “too shallow”.
Magistrate Tera Dawai discharged Charlie Jofangke, 58, from Kagu village in Kainantu, Eastern Highlands, who was charged with attempting to kill Noro Komei last February.
Magistrate Dawai said the court found that there was insufficient evidence on the attempted murder charge.
“The evidence provided was too shallow and clearly did not support the charge,” he said.
On discharging him and striking out the case, the court ordered that his K900 bail money be refunded.
It was alleged that last Feb 26, between 2pm and 3pm, Jofangke was very angry and armed himself with a bush knife.
It was over a dispute over land which police claimed that he took by fraudulent means.
His anger spilled over after he saw Komei on the piece of land.
Police alleged that without saying anything, he confronted Komei and started attacking him.
He swung the knife at Komei’s neck but ended up slashing his hand. Komei escaped and went into hiding at Kainantu.
He returned to Lae after being informed that his house in the area was burnt through another incident and community leaders were mediating for peace.
Police arrested him then.