BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
HEARING of evidence in the case of a man alleged of murder has started at the High Court.
James Tangasuna is charged with one count of murder in relation to the death of a 50-year-old man at Keuna Village in the Marumbo area of West Guadalcanal on June 14, 2020.
A Prosecution witness told court yesterday he saw the defendant hit the deceased with a two-feet long 3×2 timber, and the deceased fell onto the ground with blood running out of his nose.
The witness said the incident occurred between 1am and 6am on June 14, 2020.
He said prior to the incident a fundraising was held at the village and the defendant was drinking alcohol.
The allegation said the accused and the deceased were both drunk and had an argument before the incident.
It is alleged the accused got hold of a piece of timber with both of his hands and struck the victim twice. The first strike allegedly landed on the back of the victim’s head, and as the victim fell to the ground, the accused then gave the second strike which landed on the left side of his head including the victim’s left shoulder.
Police said the deceased fell unconscious on the ground with blood coming out from his mouth and nose. The deceased was then transported to the National Referral Hospital (NRH) for medical treatment.
The deceased remained in a critical condition for eight days until he died on June 22, 2020 at NRH.
The trial will continue today.
Public Prosecutor John Wesley Zoze appears for the crown while Benham Ifutoo represents the accused.
