Two set for trial

By JACINTA COHLEE
TWO men were committed by a committal court in Lae to stand trial in the National Court for beating a man to death in October.
Magistrate Pious Tapil on Wednesday ruled police had provided sufficient evidence against Sevis John, 21, from Daulo’s Watabum village in Eastern Highlands, and Andy Benson, 22, from Chuave’s Mangiro village in Chimbu.
He also noted that John and Benson had initially denied the charge brought against them by witnesses.
“In the police report, both of you denied the evidence against you for the murder of Maipo. Whatever they claimed against the evidence is a matter for the National Court to decide,” he said.
Tapil then fixed May 16 for the duo to appear in the National Court.
On Oct 24, at about 3am, John, Benson and Maipo’s son drank alcohol together and Maipo returned home.
John and Benson argued and threw punches at Maipo’s son after he refused to give them K5 upon request.
Maipo then heard his son calling out for help and rushed out with a knife and told John and Benson to leave.
The court learnt that after Maipo told John and Benson to leave, he tried to get back into his house when Benson stoned him on the back of his head.
Maipo then collapsed and fell unconscious.
He was rushed to hospital where he was pronounced dead.