TRIAL into the murder of a young diplomat in Honiara in 2012 has been adjourned to next year.
The evidence of the prosecution’s final civilian witness that was held in a closed court because of safety fears, concluded on Thursday.
The defence, however re-called this witness to cross-examine her on a specific matter that was not covered during her evidence.
It relates to the thumb prints on the statements she gave to Police during investigations.
Prosecution would therefore have to call forensic expert’s opinion, but as the court is engaged, the following week and going into the court vacation, the matter was adjourned to a date to be fixed in January 2015.
Prosecution has only four more police officers to call before closing its case.
The defence will then proceed with their case.
Cecil Manu, Simon Peter Delemani and Peter Diau, are all facing the murder of Simon Fuo’o.
The fourth accused, John Tii, has already pleaded guilty to murder.
The deceased Simon Fuo’o was serving with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at that time of the alleged incident.
They allegedly stabbed him with knives and hooks and inflicted multiple wounds on his head, mouth and back of which he died of bleeding.
The incident occurred on the early hours of April 21, 2012 outside of the Honiara Central Market when Fuo’o was on his way home with friends after night out.
Mr Fuo’o was attacked when he came out of his vehicle to confront a group of men, who set up a road block outside of the market.
Sarah Karani, Nigel Galo, George Gray, and Helena Blundell of the Public Solicitor’s Office are representing the accused.
State Prosecutor Miriam Manata and the Director of Public Prosecutions Ronald Bei Talasasa appeared for the state.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
