Trio in WNB given life sentences over police officer’s death

National

By DAPHNE WANI
THREE men who admitted killing a police officer when he tried to stop them fighting have been sentenced to life in prison.
In the National Court, acting Judge Nicholas Miviri jailed Bokomo Malem, 26, Micah Bokomo, 19, and Joe Raphael, 18, from Paon village in Kandrian in West New Britain, for killing reserve police officer George Misang, 54.
Justice Miviri said attacks on officers of law enforcement agencies such as the police, judge or magistrate or Correctional Services, were serious.
“They are the physical presence, flesh and blood of law and order,” he said.
“To not protect them is to discard the fundamental pillar of law, order and justice in society imbedded in our Constitution – our supreme law.”
Justice Miviri handed down the ruling on April 25 during a National Court circuit in Kandrian.
The court heard that officer Misang had grabbed Raphael and told him to stop fighting. Micah and Manlem hit him on the head with a stone.
He let go of Raphael who then turned around and stabbed him.
The three pleaded guilty to the murder charge and asked for leniency.