Imelda’s murder case not over yet for cops

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Imelda’s murder case not over yet for cops

PORT MORESBY: The police and public prosecutor’s office will file an ex-officio indictment on the murder of Imelda Tupi Tiamanda, a University of Goroka undergraduate, who was found murdered in May.

Imelda's husband Dr Simon Tepo, 40, Ken Paul, 27, and Nombre Kasu, 42, were freed from murder by Mt Hagen district court magistrate Leonard Mesmin on Friday (Sept 3, 2021).

The trio were charged with killing Imelda and trying to dispose her body that was wrapped in a blue canvas.

They were captured when their car was stopped at a roadblock with the body in the vehicle.

Details of the news break were published by The National:

Cops to pursue murder case again

September 7, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By MIRIAM ZARRIGA
POLICE Commissioner David Manning says investigators, with assistance from the public prosecutor’s office, will file an ex-officio indictment on the murder of Imelda Tupi Tiamanda, a University of Goroka undergraduate, who was found murdered in May.
Imelda’s husband, Dr Simon Temo, 40, Ken Paul, 27, and Nombre Kasu, 42, were freed from murder by Mt Hagen district court magistrate Leonard Mesmin on Friday.
The trio were charged with killing Imelda and trying to dispose her body that was wrapped in a blue canvas.
They were captured when
their car was stopped at a police roadblock with the body in the vehicle.
Mesmin struck out the murder charges against the trio on grounds that the witnesses had failed to provide the evidence and facts of the alleged killing during the committal hearing.
However, Comm Manning, on being informed of the decision, issued instructions over the weekend for the investigation team to work with the public prosecutors office in Mt Hagen.
“The Southern Highlands and Western Highlands police commanders have been working together with the investigating officer and the prosecutor’s office, with officer-in-charge for the criminal investigation division in Mendi tasked to bring the files into Port Moresby.
“We will be looking at the documents plus the court depositions which were requested after the hearing on Friday.
“This case has seen certain fallouts happening in Southern Highlands which the police are following,” he added.
According to details received by The National a house was razed with Imelda’s relatives upset with the decision.
“I can assure the people of Southern Highlands and Imelda’s relatives that the appropriate measures have been taken for an ex-officio indictment as soon as the files are in Port Moresby,” Comm Manning said.
“We will have a look at it and lodge with the public prosecutor for the process to be taken, and hopefully we get an indictment,” he added.
“I am awaiting a full briefing on the situation in Southern Highlands.”

Outrage over decision

September 7, 2021The NationalMain Stories

NATIONAL Capital District (NCD) Governor Powes Parkop says the Parliamentary Coalition to end Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV are outraged by the police prosecution’s lack of performance that resulted in the freeing of a doctor and two others who were charged with murder.
The Mt Hagen magistrate’s court on Friday freed Dr Simon Temo, 40, Ken Paul, 27, and Nombre Kasu, 42, from murder due to lack of evidence.
The trio allegedly killed Temo’s wife, Imelda Tupi Tiamanda, who was a University of Goroka undergraduate.
The trio were captured by police at a roadblock where Imelda’s body was found wrapped in a blue canvas in May.
Parkop said concerns had been raised with the Public Prosecutor and Secretary for Justice and Attorney General to intervene as soon as possible.
“Police and the public prosecutor have assured us that they are discussing the matter,” he said.
“It is unbelievable that police did not have a file or submit evidence against the suspects who had a dead body with them that they were attempting to dispose.
“This decision and actions are totally unacceptable and must not be allowed to stand,” he added.
The Special Parliamentary on GBV chairman and Alotau MP Charles Abel has made multiple statements decrying the lack of action by law enforcement bodies to address violence against women and children.
“This is outrageous, unbelievable and unacceptable.
“It defies belief that our court system can make such decisions in the light of such overwhelming circumstantial evidence.
“How can we change mindsets and the culture of violence in general and violence against women if we allow such acts to go unpunished?”
“Women being killed and maimed by their partners is a criminal act.
“Our recent Committee Report into GBV specifically called on law enforcement bodies to do their job better.
“We made more than 20 recommendations, calling on the police to investigate promptly and produce proper files.
“They need to take proper witness statements and witnesses need to feel safe to testify about what they know,” he added.
“We have called on the Office of the Public Prosecutor to promptly prosecute cases and to call for tough penalties.
“We also call on the courts to deliver justice – promptly and fairly.
“What message does it send when men who have killed their partners are allowed to pay compensation and get off? This is simply not good enough,” he lamented.
Deputy chairman and East Sepik Governor Allan Bird was upset about the outcomes from recent GBV cases.
“The public is outraged that our women and girls are unsafe in our country.
“We all want our women and girls to feel safe and to enjoy protection and freedom that they deserve.”

 

Plans to protest freeing of trio accused of murder

September 7, 2021The NationalMain Stories

By ELIAS LARI
A PROTEST march is being planned by the people of Mendi in Southern Highlands today in response to the freeing of a medical doctor and two others by the Mt Hagen district court on Friday.
The court freed Dr Simon Temo, 40, Ken Paul, 27, and Nombre Kasu, 42, from murder due to lack of evidence.
The trio allegedly killed Temo’s wife, Imelda Tupi Tiamanda, who was a University of Goroka undergraduate.
The trio were captured by police at a roadblock where Imelda’s body was found wrapped in a blue canvas in May.
The protest is expected to start today when Imelda’s relatives and the public will raise concerns on the judiciary system.
Imelda’s father Tupi Tiamanda said his relatives had decided not to take the law into their own hands but to leave it to the law.
“Instead, the court has freed the murder suspects on grounds of insufficient (evidence) and dismissed the case,” he said.
“Where else can we go now for my daughter’s justice?”
He said the protest was to show how they feel about the court decision. We the family members have promised to challenge the court decision.
This matter will be challenged because we believe that justice is not fair,” he added.
Southern Highlands commander Chief Supt Martin Lakari confirmed that the protest would take place today in Mendi town.
“After the court decision, we have been monitoring the situation to ensure normalcy remains. Also, we will see if any further legal steps that can be taken on the court decision,” he added.

Human rights defender demands justice

September 7, 2021The NationalNational

A HUMAN rights defender wants justice for the murder of University of Goroka student Imelda Tupi Tiamanda.
Tribal Foundation project manager Ruth Kissam and her members were appalled after Imelda’s husband, Dr Simon Temo, 40, Ken Paul, 27, and Nombre Kasu, 42, were freed from murder by Mt Hagen district court magistrate Leonard Mesmin on Friday on grounds that witnesses failed to provide evidence and facts of the alleged killing during the committal court.
“The case was thrown out on technical grounds where the death certificate was unsigned,” she said.
“We cannot allow for gross negligence by our law enforcement because it dilutes the rule of law in our country.
“The Special Parliamentary Committee on GBV has the mandate to bring to task the police hierarchy in the province and salvage this case as soon as possible.”
Other human rights defenders Lutheran Missionary Anthon Lutz and Ume Wainetti of PNG Counsellor’s Association shared the thoughts.
Lutz said: “This is not rocket science, it is detective and police work.
Even though it might be difficult to locate and organise this evidence, it is not a job we can leave up to the victims.
“When a violent crime has been committed, it is the responsibility of the State to do the work and ensure justice is done.
“Who can we hold accountable when the system fails?
“The victim’s family?
“The police? The magistrate?
“There is an answer and we must find it before more women and children are tortured and killed.”