BY ROMINAH FAKA
A man accused of murder and rape in an incident alleged to have taken place in Guadalcanal Plains earlier this year is yet to have a legal representative.
Yesterday, the matter was heard in Magistrate Court, where prosecution informed court investigations are yet to complete, as the photo album and autopsy report are yet to be obtained.
Court adjourned the matter for July 9 for the accused to secure a legal representative and for the police to collect the outstanding documents.
On this date, the accused is also expected to confirm that he has lawyer.
Richard Sonia, 25, is charged with one count of murder contrary to section 200 of the Penal Code and one count of rape contrary to section 136 F (1) (a) and (b) of the Penal Code, as amended by the Penal Code (Amendment) (Sexual Offences) Act 2016.
The maximum penalty for charges, murder and rape are life imprisonment.
The deceased was a 29-year-old woman.
The incident occurred on May 21 this year in the cocoa area near GPPOL II area in North Guadalcanal.
Sonia was allegedly intoxicated when he encountered the deceased while she was washing clothes at a well.
It is further alleged that the defendant attempted to grab the deceased and when the deceased resisted, he used a stone to hit the deceased’s forehead and then raped her.
The deceased later died as a result from the attack by the defendant.
State Prosecutor Herrick Lautalo from the Office of Director of Public Prosecution appears for crown.
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