A MAN has denied attempting to murder his wife using a bush knife at their family home in Titinge area in Guadalcanal Province in May.
Francis Hoasipua this week entered a not guilty plea to one count of Attempted Murder.
He was initially charged with Acts Intend to Cause Grievous Harm, but the charge was later amended to Attempted Murder.
Following his not guilty pleas, the defence indicated it would elect a short form preliminary inquiry.
The court then ordered the prosecution to provide the inquiry depositions to the defence by close of business Tuesday.
A ruling on the inquiry will be delivered when the matter returns to court on November 5,
According to the allegations, the incident occurred on 3 May 2025.
The victim, a primary school teacher, on 2 May left her husband and children at their home to help her colleagues prepare for a culture show to be held at the school the next day.
Later that afternoon, at about 2pm, while she was busy cooking for her colleagues, her husband arrived at the school and told her that her salary had been paid into her account.
He questioned his wife why she was still busy with other activities than family matters.
The alleged victim then allegedly told her husband to go and wait for her at a shop at Point Cruz.
Then she left the cooking to her colleagues and went to meet her husband.
The couple bought rice and chicken. The husband then went home with the food, while the wife returned to the school.
The wife and her colleagues were busy decorating the stage when her husband arrived at the school.
The couple remained at the school until mid-night before they left in a vehicle engaged by the head master.
At around 1am on 3 May, upon the couple’s arrival home, the husband questioningly accused his wife of always obeying the Head Master.
Then he checked his wife’s bag for money and ATM card, but did not find any money and became increasingly aggressive.
The situation escalated when the husband took a long bush knife and started damaging household items.
He allegedly threatened to kill his wife and struck her in the head with the knife.
The wife tried to protect herself, but the knife also cut her hands and her left ear. She became unconscious, but after regaining consciousness, she managed to run to her neighbor and was rushed to the National Referral Hospital.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
Solomon Star, Honiara
