Mother, sons call on police to conduct proper investigations

By TREVOR WAHUNE
A MOTHER and her two sons acquitted by the court of a murder charge are calling on the police to conduct proper investigations before arresting and detaining people for long periods.
Theresa Mokoa, 42, from Kairuku in Central, and her sons Jacob and Shane, were acquitted by Justice Panuel Mogish at the National Court in Bomana last Friday.
Theresa told The National outside court that the case had tarnished the name of her family who have been labelled as “murderers”.
“We are relieved and thankful for the decision the judge has given.”
The court was told that on Oct 14, 2017, between 5pm and 6pm, the three were at a bride price ceremony with other families at Kivori Poe.
The Mokoa family was involved in organising the ceremony, with brother Makoa Ao as the master of ceremony.
Justice Mogish said Ao had warned his family against consuming alcohol, as he knew many villagers would use the occasion to drink.
“And he (Ao) was right. Towards the end of the ceremony, there was a fight involving the deceased and his relatives, most of whom were drunk,” he said.
“Theresa and her husband did not see how the fight started. They came to the scene after being alerted that Jacob was involved. None of the accused were at the scene when the fight started. I find them not guilty.” The court was told that the deceased and his relatives had allegedly attacked Jacob for what he did to a female family members some years for which he had served a three-year jail term.