Long jail terms for killers

By ROSELYN ELLISON
THIRTEEN villagers have been handed long jail terms including life imprisonment for various offences including murder.
The 13 prisoners are from Merai and Urai villages in the Sinivit local level government in Pomio, East New Britain.
National Court judge Justice Thomas Anis handed down the jail terms at the Kerevat courthouse for the charges of wilful murder, attempted murder and unlawfully setting fire.
Eleven of the 13 were sentenced to life imprisonment, one was sentenced to 25 years and one to 13 years.
Those sentenced to life imprisonment were William Lare, 41, Camilus Markus, 46, Alwinus Emil, 42, Alphonse Lare, 48, Nathaniel Kenmi, 41, Joshua Bruno, 41, Paskalis Lare, 51, Brian Bure, 23, Boniface Raphael 52, Berry Bruno, 34, and Jonah Bruno, 41.
Nathan Thomas, 41, was sentenced to 25 years and Nerius Kuang Junior, 22, to 13 years.
Times spent in custody will be deducted from the head sentences.
In April last year, 18 villagers appeared in the National Court on the charges but four were acquitted.
In July, 14 were convicted of the offences but one escaped later leaving the 13 sentenced yesterday.
The armed men had attacked the Sulka people living at Mak village in the Sinivit LLG killing two.
They then went to neighbouring Sussum village where they attacked some boys killing one.