BY ROMINAH FAKA
The case involving three men accused of murder at the Markworth area in Lunga, East Honiara, in May this year will return to the Magistrate Court on Monday next week, July 28 for plea.
The duty prosecution informed court yesterday that the prosecutor in charge of the file had emailed Henderson Police requesting an update on the autopsy report, but received no response.
The court issued seven days for final adjournment and directed the Henderson police to obtain the autopsy report and submit it to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP) by the close of business tomorrow, Wednesday, July 23.
The ODPP are to forward the disclosures to defence by the close of business on Thursday, July 24.
Lastly, the defence lawyers to take instruction from the defendants and prepare them for plea.
Junior Kupa, 21, Richard Kupa, 25, and Mathias Kupa, 22, are charged with one count of murder.
According to police, the incident occurred on May 10, 2025 at Markworth area, Lunga, Henderson. It is alleged that the deceased was involved in an argument with another individual.
At the time of argument, the other man was reportedly rolling a local cigarette (referred to as savu savu) and holding a can of SB beer.
Police alleged that the deceased approached the man from behind and grabbed the SB can from the man. In response, the man took the can back and allegedly told the deceased that he would not give him any beer, stating that the deceased “always becomes aggressive when he drinks”.
The deceased became angry at the individual and swore at him. In response, the individual reportedly ran back to his house and retrieved a knife, intending to confront the deceased. However, his father intervened and stopped him.
Shortly after, defendant Richard arrived at the scene and asked the individual what kind of insult or swear word the deceased had used against him.
The individual then informed Richard, who proceeded to follow the deceased and kicked the deceased on the right side of his abdomen with his left leg, causing the deceased to fall to the ground and strike his back at the base of a tree.
When the deceased lay on the ground facing upward, the other two defendants, Junior and Mathias, joined Richard and continuously kicked and punched the deceased until he laid still.
Later they rushed the deceased to the hospital however, upon arrival, he was pronounced dead.
A doctor confirmed that the cause of death was due to the assault inflicted by the three defendants.
Paul Junior Fanasia from ODPP is prosecuting and Thompson Fiuga, Lazarus Waroka and Allen Tinoni represent the three defendants.
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