Use of firearm costs man charged with attempted murder bail

A MAN charged with attempted murder has been refused bail by the Waigani Committal Court because the alleged crime involved the use of a gun.
Magistrate Cosmas Bidar refused the application filed by the defendant’s lawyer after police prosecutor Constable Shellian Pius argued that the accused had used a firearm.
“With regards to Section 4 (b) and 9 (c) of the Bail Act, this court does not have the jurisdiction to allow bail, as the accused was armed with a firearm and only the National and Supreme courts have the powers to grant bail,” Pius argued. The alleged offence took place on April 21 last year at June Valley, Tokorara, Port Moresby.
The accused, Stanley James, 30, from Tari, Hela, allegedly armed himself with a .38 revolver and went looking for someone he suspected of tipping off the police about a vehicle he had stolen.
The accused approached his tyarget and shot at him without warning. But the person took refuge behind a bystander and the accused missed with four shots.
The fifth shot got the victim on the leg.
The victim fell to the ground and was rushed to Port Moresby General Hospital.
The matter was reported to police and James was arrested and charged.