A LONG form preliminary inquiry will be conducted next in the case of two brothers accused of killing a man at Papaho, Mbokonavera 4 Heights, in Honiara in early February.
This was after the brothers denied the charge of manslaughter yesterday in the Honiara Magistrates’ Court.
William Babasi and his younger brother Kevin Susui Babasi were initially charged with the murder of Ronald Tonowane on 7 February, 2015.
The murder charge was reduced to that of manslaughter after prosecution found insufficient evidence to support the murder charge.
The long form preliminary inquiry will be conducted on 23 April in which a doctor will be called.
The incident occurred at Papaho community following a fight that broke out between the brother of the deceased and Kevin.
It was alleged that from that fight, Kevin went and called his brother William and they went back to the deceased’s house armed with bush knives and rocks.
They allegedly entered the private property of the deceased and started aggressively threatened and assaulted the deceased’s brother Donald Tonowane, who fought with Kevin earlier on, his mother and father.
Seeing that, the deceased allegedly tried to defend his family members who were threatened by the accused and in the process threw a punch at Kevin.
Kevin allegedly fell to the ground facing upward.
The deceased then allegedly tried to grab Kevin but Kevin reportedly threw a punch at the deceased’s chest.
Prosecution further alleged that at that time the deceased, who has a history of Asthma, experienced breathing problem.
The deceased then held on to his chest and moved back in front of the ladder to the house and fell down.
Both accused were said to have escaped at that time.
The deceased’s family tried desperately to assist him and later rushed him to the National Referral Hospital.
However, the deceased was said to have died whilst on the way to the hospital.
The brothers are represented by Anderson Kesaka of DNS & Partners while appearing for the state is Public Prosecutor Bradley Dalipanda.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN