Nine go free in sorcery-related death case

 THE National Court in Kokopo has dismissed a wilful murder case against nine men from Pomio district after the State prosecutors failed to provide enough evidence against them.

They were charged after the death of Mathias Tevamili on Dec 6, 2011, at Sampun village, in East Pomio.

The court heard that they had accused Tevamili of killing one of their relatives through sorcery. 

They took him to Teimtop village and commanded him to bring back to life their dead relative. 

When he failed to do that, they allegedly assaulted him, causing his death. 

They denied the charge.

The prosecution sought further adjournment because the principal witnesses could not attend court because they were held up in Pomio due to the bad weather.

But the defence lawyer objected to further adjournments after three trial dates had to be vacated for the absence of witnesses.

Justice Salatiel Lenalia said the nine men were presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court.

Lenalia said since State Prosecutor Lukara Rangan had failed to provide evidence, the court had no other option but to exercise its discretional power to terminate the case.

He ruled that the matter be dismissed for want of prosecution and the men be discharged.