Man in murder case refused bail

A FATHER accused of killing a man, who allegedly used sorcery to cause his son’s death, was refused bail by a Waigani National Court yesterday.
Justice Ere Kariko made his decision after reviewing the reapplication and found insufficient material for bail.
Tery Firo Angiong was alleged to have with nine others killed the man whom they suspected of using sorcery to kill Angiong’s son.
Police claimed the alleged sorcerer was abducted, driven to 8-Mile outside Port Moresby where he was chopped to death and buried in a shallow grave.
Angiong and the other applicants had in an earlier submission in December submitted they should be allowed bail as they were required to repatriate their relative in the mortuary.
Angiong in particular had informed the court that he was the only one in a position to meet the financial costs of the repatriation.
Justice Kariko, however, considered there was insufficient material before him to support the submissions.
Court was informed when a judge in the National Court refused bail, the applicant could take two courses of action.
The applicant can apply to the Supreme Court under section 13(2) of the Bails Act or to apply again to the same judge or another judge of the National Court further proving there had been a change in the relevant circumstances.
The applicant can reapply considering he meets four requirements; firstly notify the court of the earlier bail refusal, provide a copy of the reasons for the bail refusal, present evidence of change in the circumstances and to demonstrate how the change is relevant.
The court heard that in the present applications, Justice Kariko was familiar with the “reasons for refusal”, he pointed out the issue before him was whether there has been a change in the relevant circumstances.
The defence lawyer conceded the only change in circumstances was the reliance on the remains of the son of the first applicant in the Port Moresby General Hospital had decomposed since the previous applications were made.
Justice Kariko informed court that as he indicated during submissions, the further decomposition of the body was a natural consequence and not a change in relevant circumstances.
On that ground fresh applications for bail were refused.