Murder case fixed for mention

A 40-YEAR-OLD man was charged in a committal court in Waigani with wilful murder in Enga about seven months ago.
Magistrate Paul Puri Nii read out the charge to Henry Sali, from Laiagam’s Niuk village, Enga, and fixed Dec 1 for mention.
Magistrate Nii told Sali that the crime was committed in Enga, but his case was brought before this court because police officers had arrested and charged him in Port Moresby.
“And also, due to the convenience of the police on how to go about gathering the evidence in your case,” he said.
About seven months ago, between 5pm and 6pm, Issac Karapus was taken to the Laiagam health centre for treatment.
Karapus was there with his wife to get treatment for injuries sustained in an alleged fight with Sali’s relative.
Sali, who was a security guard at the health centre at that time, was allegedly armed with a bush knife.
He allegedly went to the outpatient room and slashed Karapus on his face in front of his wife and other patients who were waiting for the doctors.
Karapus died on the spot.
Sali then fled to Port Moresby.
Wabag police informed the crime investigation division (CID) in Port Moresby and Sali was arrested at the Five-Mile settlement on Oct 28.
He was taken to CID homicide office for questioning and he denied the allegation.
Police prosecutor Senior Sergeant Chris Iga then informed the court that they had decided to have Sali remanded in Bomana Prison at the moment due to financial issues regarding his transfer to a Wabag District Court.