Vendor in city to stand trial for death of a man

 A VENDOR charged with killing another man at the Gerehu buai (betel nut) market in Port Moresby last year has been committed to stand trial in the Waigani National Court.

Committal Court magistrate Mekeo Gauli yesterday ruled that there was sufficient evidence to warrant the committal of Andrew Tale, 25, from Hela, to face trial. 

Gauli said the court established a prima facie case and ordered Tale to appear on Monday for listings in the National Court.

The offence allegedly occurred on Oct 1 last year at the Gerehu market. Tale, allegedly drunk, was sitting next to the road armed with a knife that evening. 

The court heard that Tale allegedly summoned Robin Hente (deceased) over and pulled a knife out and stabbed him on the back.

The deceased fell to the ground and died. Hente was rushed to the Gerehu Clinic by members of the public and then taken to Port Moresby General Hospital.

Tale told the court yesterday that he had no intention of killing Hente.

He made the remark as part of his statement in court, saying that he tried to injure Hente because he had an argument with Hente and Hente had injured his arm.

He said his attempt to injure Hente not only failed but resulted in Hente’s death.