A COUPLE charged with the murder of another man at Lau Valley, East Honiara in 2023, will be pleading to a lesser charge of manslaughter on July 2.
Nelson Magi and Zima Ben were initially charged with murder, but the prosecution has indicated that they will be reducing the charge.
Their trial was scheduled for Tuesday last week in the High Court.
However, when the matter came before Deputy Chief Justice Rex Faukona, the prosecution indicated that they would be reducing the charge to manslaughter, based on a doctor’s medical report.
The report states that the deceased died of heart attack triggered by the stressful event.
The incident occurred on 17 December 2023, beside the SDA church at Lau Valley area.
The couple along with another female had attended a party and were walking back to Jackson Ridge when they stopped near the Lau Valley SDA church.
A group of people were sitting under a tent next to the church, telling stories.
Magi allegedly shouted to the group, asking who among them was strong.
One of the people in the tent responded that none of them was strong.
Magi then approached them, grabbed a chair, and threw it with force at the person who had responded.
A confrontation ensued between Magi and that person.
The deceased’s niece, who was among the group, ran back to the house and woke up the deceased, who was sleeping.
The deceased went to the scene and tried to separate Magi and the other person from arguing, but Magi allegedly assaulted him with a front snap kick, causing him to fall backwards.
Ben allegedly encouraged Magi to attack the deceased, shouting at him to go back and assault him, while throwing stones at their house.
Magi attacked the deceased again, causing him to fall unconscious.
The deceased was rushed to the hospital but was pronounced dead.
Magi and Ben were arrested and charged with murder, but they will plead to a reduced charge of manslaughter.
Magi is represented by Hubert Fugui, Ben by Lazarus Waroka, and the Crown by Public Prosecutor Stewart Tonowane.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
