BY ROMINAH FAKA
The Pre-Trial Conference (PTC) for the case involving the burning of a staff house at Maromaro has been further adjourned to June 23.
On Wednesday last week, the defence counsel requested additional time to review a two-statement report emailed to him by the prosecution from the staff of Solomon Power, in relation to the issue of the possible causes of the fire whether it was result of an electrical fault or reckless actions of the accused.
The prosecution counsel currently handling the matter is engaged in a court circuit at Lata and has also sought a two-week adjournment. The PTC document is yet to be finalized and signed by both counsels.
Defendant David Tepala, 35, is charged with one count of arson contrary to section 319 (a) of the Penal Code which carries a life imprisonment penalty. He pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The complainant in this matter is a native from China, 34-year-old and the manager of CF- Aluminum & FOAM located at Ranadi area, East Honiara.
He also the owner of the Rainbow company.
The defendant Tepala, 35 was the employee of Rainbow company who worked for four years as mechanic and resided in the company compound with his wife.
Prosecution alleged that on the 30 of March 2025 sometimes between 6pm and 7pm. The complainant was at his resident at Ranadi when he received a call from his employee.
He stated to him that he needs to call the Police as the defendant had burnt a house accommodating company staffs at Maromaro area.
It was further alleged that, the complainant drove down to Maromaro area, his workshop compound. There he called the fire service and at around 8: 26pm, the police fire service attended to the scene and managed to control the fire.
The defendant was then identified and located at the scene and was escorted to Naha Police Station by the complainant’s group.
The defendant was formally arrested and placed in custody awaiting to be dealt with accordingly.
On the next day, he was released from custody and participated in a record of interview in which he denied the allegations.
The defendant was then charged with one count of arson.
Nickson Tonowane of Office of Public Prosecution is prosecuting and Thompson Fiuga from PSO represents the defendant.
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