BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
THE bail condition of a man alleged to have involved in a fight at West Rennell on January 1, 2022 has been varied to allow him go to his home village while awaiting trial.
John Vendi of Western province is charged with another defendant Kelvin Wayne for one count of assault causing actual bodily harm.
Defence Lawyer Frank Kama made an application to the court previously on behalf of his client to vary some of his bail conditions to allow Vendi to travel to his home village at Nusahope.
The application was granted by the court yesterday and the defendant is now allowed to travel back to his village and while in the Western Province he is required to report to the Munda police station fortnightly.
Magistrate Taeburi also made orders that the defendant be in Honiara before the trial in February 2023.
Wayne and Vendi face one count each of murder in relation to the incident that occurred on January 1, 2022, at Temunginuku logging camp, West Rennell.
The allegation said on the night of the incident the logging company employees were celebrating the New Year’s Eve. They were drinking alcohol and playing card games at the logging camp.
It was around midnight that the deceased who was drunk came around and started disturbing those who played card games. Thus, a fight broke out initially between the Asian and the deceased. Those who present intercepted and separated them.
It is further alleged that not long after, the Asian and the deceased fought again. From there another defendant Mr. Vendi interfered and a fight escalated where the deceased was assaulted and sustained injuries.
After that fight, the deceased went and slept. From there, he could not wake up, but was discovered died.
Police then were alerted and the men were arrested for the alleged incident.
Public Prosecutor Nickson Tonowane is appearing for the crown on the case while Frank Kama of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the defendant.
