Closing submissions on Edmond Sae’s case today

BY JENNIFER KUSAPA

CLOSING submission into the case against murder-accused, Edmond Sae, will be made today at the High Court after the completion of the trial.

Prosecution, during the trial, called on a number of witnesses with the defence calling one witness in support of their case while the accused elected to remain silent.

The law provides for that alternative way of testifying, if the court agrees.

The trial started on February 9 and ended on October 10. The entire trial was held in-camera as witnesses were concerned about testifying openly in an open court.

Edmond Sae is faced with one count of escaping from police custody, two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder, and two counts of purchasing, acquiring and possession of firearm and ammunition without licence.

He was accused of gunning down former police commissioner Sir Frederick Soaki on February 10, 2003, at the Auki Motel in Auki, Malaita.

Prosecution said the late Sir Fredrick was attending a workshop with other participants at Auki on the demobilisation programme for special constables.

The workshop was organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) office.

The prosecution said the accused, after escaping from police custody, avoided police arrest for more than 10 years.

With much police effort, the accused was then re-arrested in October 2015 and brought to Honiara to face court.

Prosecution said one of the murder charges and the attempted murder relates to an allegation on April 30, 2003 at Auki Police Station in Malaita, where a man in custody was shot dead, and another injured.

He allegedly committed those offences shortly after he escaped from police custody after his initial arrest for the murder of Sir Fredrick.

The Director of Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa Jr and Mrs Margaret Suifa’asia represent the crown while the accused is represented by Mr Howard Lawry and Mr Ben Alasia of the Public Solicitor’s Office.

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