Judge: Doctors writing reports must appear in court

 A JUDGE says medical doctors involved in the examination and writing of post-mortem reports must appear in court in person during trials.

“I require the doctor to come to court and explain the results of medical examination contained in the post-mortem report,” Justice Panuel Mogish told a murder trial at the National Court in Port Moresby yesterday.

Koima Akipe and Jack Kuima were accused of beating Timothy Koivitato death in Port Moresby on Jan 5, 2011. 

The court heard that the two men kidnapped a Peter Lawrence on Jan 5, 2011 and took him to a home at the National Provident Fund compound at 9-Mile outside Port Moresby where he was beaten.

They then took Lawrence to the Caritas Secondary School in East Boroko where Koivita was employed as a flower gardener. 

The court heard that Koivita was beaten repeatedly with iron bars inside a vehicle. Both Lawrence and Koivita were then taken to 12-Mile outside Port Moresby where they were beaten again. 

Koivita was later taken to the police station at 15-Mile then to the Port Moresby General Hospital where he died. 

The trial continues.