Slaying horrific, magistrate says

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IN committing a man to stand trial in the National Court for murder, Lae Committal Court magistrate Pious Tapil described the sorcery-related slaying as barbaric and horrific.
Tapil told Boli Ninipa, 27, from Deyamos’ Birimon village in Kabwum, Morobe, that his alleged killing of a man whom he suspected of practising sorcery was very serious.
“You allegedly walked to the victim’s house with a bush knife and after questioning the man whether he is a sorcerer, which he denied, you be-headed him, chopped off one hand and leg,” Magistrate Tapil remarked.
Ninipa, in his written submission to the court, stated that the man was responsible for the earlier deaths caused through sorcery in their community.
“My parents and other relatives were killed by the man,” Ninipa said.
Magistrate Tapil said the evidence presented by the police and witnesses were conclusive.
“The court finds sufficient evidence to prove the elements of the charge,” he said.
“You will now be committed to stand trial in the National Court.”
Ninipa will appear before the National Court for hearing on Dec 3.
On July 3, in the village, Ninipa confronted his alleged sorcerer who denied such a practice.
He then pulled out his bush knife and slashed the alleged sorcerer’s neck, beheading him.
Ninipa then allegedly chopped off the right hand and left leg (pictures supplied in court) of his alleged sorcerer. The court also heard that after the slaying, Ninipa went to a nearby school and reported the killing to some people there.