Murder trial in New Guinea

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33141, 3 February 1973, Page 15

Murder trial in New Guinea

(N.Z Press Association—Copyright) GOROKA, February 2. Seven Papua-New Guinea Highlanders were committed for trial in the Supreme Court at Goroka yesterday on charges connected with the killing of two senior public servants in Goroka on Christmas Eve.

Mr J. A. Pritchard, S.M., i found at the Goroka district (Court that four of the men had cases to answer on wilful murder charges, two on I manslaughter charges, and two on charges of offering an indignity to a dead body. ; The court was told that the district medical officer in Goroka, in the Eastern High-! lands, Dr Luke Rovin, and an assistant superintendent of ■ education, Mr Peter Moini, were chased and killed by a group of Faniufa villagers. I A car in which they were [travelling knocked down and ‘killed an eight-year-old girl, the court was told. After that, said witnesses, the vehicle plunged into a gully, j The magistrate in sentenc-! •ing the men said it appeared Ithe vehicle was travelling at'

. an excessive speed, went out of control, knocked down the [little girl in front of the village people including the father, and crashed. I "The two men got out and i immediately ran away and i the village men present, [somewhat naturally, gave chase,” said Mr Pritchard. But what had happened when the villagers caugnt the [men was “horrible and unforgivable by any standards ” The court was told that they were beaten to death by [angry villagers using their [feet, fists, rocks, and sticks. I! Mr Pritchard said that misleading news reports that the [doctor had tried to render • assistance to the girl immedijately after the accident had • “in my opinion, caused this II incident to be blown out of proportion.”