BY ROMINAH FAKA
The voir dire trial of four people accused of attacking and committing grievous harm on a man at the City Council Depot area in 2023 has completed at the Magistrate court.
Yesterday [March 31], one of the four defendants Warren Basil and his lawyer challenged the record of interview (ROI) conducted by the recording police officer on grounds of involuntary and unfairness.
Defence argued that the recording police officer did not gave Mr Basil the opportunity to seek legal representation to talk with during the ROI.
Prosecution called two witnesses, first the recording police officer and the police officer who was present at the time of interview of the defendant.
After the voir dire trial was completed yesterday, Basil opted to remain silent.
Court adjourned for April 7 for closing submissions from defence.
Prosecution charged Luise Meke, Daniel Rofeta, Warren Basil and Daniel Fugui jointly with one count of grievous bodily harm each.
The four defendants pleaded not guilty to the charge.
It was alleged about 2am of August 16, 2023 at the Town Council Depot area, the complainant was waiting at the front gate of the Holy Cross transit in front of his girlfriend’s residence.
It was alleged that the complainant honked for the security guard to open the gate for him and while waiting, he saw the four accused running towards him from the opposite side of the road.
The complainant then drove away.
After 30 minutes the complainant returned to the same location.
The four accused attacked the complainant from behind.
Prosecution alleged they used a hard object to strike the complainant’s right hand, causing him to fall onto the road unconsciously.
One of the security officers at the Honiara City Council workshop witnessed the attack and in-tervened and prevented the boys from further harming the complainant.
He was later assisted to his girlfriend’s residence and later that same night the complainant was not feeling well and went to the National Referral Hospital.
He was informed that the right side of his skull was cracked and there was internal bleeding.
The injury sustained by the complainant was severe and he was referred to the Gold Coast Uni-versity Hospital in Queensland, Australia for further medical assistance.
Public Prosecution office is prosecuting and PSO lawyers Delilah Kukura represents Luise Meke, Daniel Onorio represents Warren Basil, Jennifer Happilyn represents Daniel Fugui and Daniel Rofeta.
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