Man convicted of murder asks court for mercy

By GEORGINA KOREI
A MAN convicted of killing another man in Port Moresby last year has pleaded for leniency from the National Court.
The prosecution had recommended a sentence of between 20 to 30 years for Charlie Kopa from Ita village in Tapini, Central.
Presiding Judge Laura Wawun Kuvi adjourned the sentencing to later this month.
Kopa, 35, said through his lawyer that he was a first time offender and had expressed remorse for the killing which happened in Gerehu last year.
Kopa’s lawyer said while the offence his client committed was serious and had a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, he asked the court to also consider Kopa’s background which included limited education, being fatherless at a young age and no formal employment.
The lawyer added that Kopa was a street vendor and subsistence farmer who supported a wife and daughter through street sales and a long sentence would be detrimental to his family.
He allegedly killed the deceased last July after a fight between the two.
Kopa allegedly chased the deceased with other youths from the rugby field towards the Gerehu sports centre.
The youths had fled when they saw a police vehicle in the area leaving Kopa and the deceased.
Kopa is alleged to have taken out a knife and stabbed the deceased several times in the chest, neck and back.
Police intervened by firing shots into the air to stop the pair from fighting.
Kopa was disarmed and taken to the police station while the deceased was taken to the Gerehu Hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.