Judge in former Miss PNG murder case visits crime sites

By TREVOR WAHUNE
THE Waigani National Court judge presiding over the case of former Miss PNG Ruby-Anne Laufa visited the sites where she was last seen by witnesses before her death.
Justice Teresa Berrigan walked 1.3km from Laufa’s residence at Fort Bena yesterday to the University of PNG campus staff residential area car park.
The university field car park, 124 metres away from where Laufa allegedly jumped out of Richard Namaliu’s (accused) car is where Namaliu claimed to have stopped to ask security guards for help to take Laufa’s body to hospital on Feb 11, 2017.
Justice Berrigan was accompanied by a team from the public prosecutor’s office led by lawyer David Kuvi and another from the public solicitor’s office led by lawyer Frederick Kirriwom.
Security officials from the police, the National and Supreme Court Sheriff’s office and the university were also present.
Justice Berrigan’s visit was made to obtain basic distances between places witnesses last saw Namaliu drive away with Laufa in the university’s staff residential area.
The judge visited four main points: Point A – (university field car park); point B – (Laufa’s residence); point C – the spot Laufa’s body was found); and, point D – (Fort Bena security check point).
Distances from point B to point D was 937m, point D to point C was 240m and point C to point A was 124m.
Justice Berrigan also observed places where witnesses claimed to have stood and saw the alleged assault of Laufa.
The visit was also made to determine different versions of testimonies heard in court following Namaliu’s not guilty plea.
Namaliu, 28, from Raluana village in Kokopo, East New Britain, was charged with manslaughter.
Namaliu was alleged to have driven to Laufa’s home at Fort Bena and picked her up at around 10am on Feb 11, 2017, allegedly drunk.
State witnesses alleged Namaliu punched Laufa several times in the car before her body was found unconscious beside a road next to university of PNG oval.
Namaliu said in court on Monday that they had argued over him reactivating his Facebook account when she (Laufa) became violent and slapped and kicked him in the car.
Namaliu claimed to have punched Laufa only once using his elbow to calm her down, but seconds later he was surprised Laufa had already opened the door and jumped out.
He claimed he was late to react to Laufa’s move because he was driving at the time.
Meanwhile, Justice Berrigan, in a short sitting yesterday, advised defence lawyer Kirriwom and State lawyer Kuvi to file and exchange submissions by Oct 28.
The matter will return to court for hearing on Nov 5.