Man jailed for life for killing 10 Chinese nationals

News that matter in Papua New Guinea

Man jailed for life for killing 10 Chinese nationals

PORT MORESBY: A man who killed 10 Chinese nationals in a robbery in a shop on Manus Island about four years ago was jailed for life by the National Court.

Justice Vergil Narokobi told Graham Floyd Peter, 31, on Friday (March 11, 2022) that “this was a crime of sadistic cruelty, of colossal proportion”.

“Due to the number of persons that have been killed, I recommend that if Peter is ever considered for parole (and I am not suggesting that he should be or should not be), he should only be eligible for parole after he has served (at least) 40 years’ imprisonment,” he said.

The National reported the court proceedings:

Killer jailed for life

March 14, 2022The NationalMain Stories

By CHARLES MOI
A MAN who killed 10 Chinese nationals in a robbery in a shop on Manus Island about four years ago has been jailed for life by the National Court.
Justice Vergil Narokobi told Graham Floyd Peter, 31, of Likum village, on Friday that “this was crime of sadistic cruelty, of colossal proportion”.
“You resented being terminated from employment by one of the deceased. The resentment took seed in your heart, grew, and matured into deep hatred. The hatred that you cultivated gave life to vengeance.
“In ironic imagery, the vengeance engulfed your mind and your soul like a fire, searing your conscience and basic humanity, enkindling you to a course that wrought devastation, destruction, and death.
“In your eyes, the misery of 10 innocent human beings was a trophy for you to parade before his relatives.
“In my view, it was your seared conscience seeking solace and salvation, such that your basic human dignity commanded you to free your mind from the bondage of the blood on your hands by confessing your crime to three different people, so as to wash your conscience,” he said.
Peter’s co-accused Robillo Micah and Nathan Boas were discharged after the State presented a nolle prosequi (no wish to prosecute) notice for both of them.
The court heard that in the early hours of Sept 22, 2017, Peter, in the company of accomplices broke into Splendid Star shop in Lorengau, took an undisclosed sum of money and set the building on fire, killing 10 Chinese nationals.
The 10 killed were women Yan Xiamei, Weng Yun, Li Na, Yan Chenxia, Wu Fenghua, and men Yang Minghui, Shi Yun, Chen Shi Yi, Chen Qinghua and Yan Xin.
The court heard that there was no direct evidence of Peter’s involvement, except that he confessed to the crime to three witnesses, who were his close relatives.
On Feb 4, the National Court convicted Peter of murder.
Peter who is married and has a two-year-old child apologised for his actions.
He asked the court to be lenient on him as he had to care for his old father and young family.
Justice Narokobi said the evidence from the police forensics showed that the Chinese nationals were either murdered or tied up before the building was set alight, incinerating them beyond recognition.
He said this was a case where the murder was pre-meditated, vicious and brutal.
“The killing was in cold blood of innocent and defenseless or harmless persons. It was with complete and blatant disregard for the sanctity of human life. The persons were either tied up in the building or already murdered when they met their horrific fate.
“Due to the number of persons that have been killed, I recommend that if Peter is ever considered for parole (and I am not suggesting that he should be or should not be), he should only be eligible for parole after he has served (at least) 40 years imprisonment,” he added.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Growing unemployment rate in Papua New Guinea (Employment stagnant since 2014) PORT MORESBY: Employment in Papua New Guinea (PNG) has remained stagnant since 2014 with millions of unemployed looking for jobs. The formal job market currently can only accommodate between 400,000 and 500,000, Institute of National Affairs executive director Paul Barker says. “As more young people enter the job market this year after graduating from tertiary institutions and schools, the chances of securing formal employment is slim. “Employment had remained stagnant despite the increase in potential workers coming out of educations institutions,” he added. Read on for more details as published by The National : Hard to get jobs January 27, 2022 The National Main Stories By DALE LUMA MILLIONS of eligible workers around the country are looking for jobs in the formal sector, which currently can ...
Read more

Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30

Image
News that matters in Papua New Guinea Armed tribal warriors on the move in Sugu Valley. Sugu Valley tribal war death toll rises to at least 30 PORT MORESBY: At least six tribes have been fighting in Sugu Valley (Kagua-Erave, Southern Highlands) since Feb 10, 2019, without any signs of an end and peace. In fact, the death toll has risen to at least 30, up from 11 on May 23, 2019, and the opening of a new battlefront in Sumbura near Poroma with multiple deaths reported in 24 wards. Armed tribal warriors on the march into the forests and jungles. PNG Cyber Monitor had on a May 25, 2019, posting ( https://pngcybermonitor.blogspot.com/2019/05/real-life-rifles-bows-and-arrows-bloody.html Real life rifles, bows and arrows bloody fights in PNG ) highlighted the bloody battle waged by tribal warriors armed with rifles, bows and arrows and knives. PNG Cyber Monitor is again highlighting the plight of the villagers who have been living in fear as reported by The Nationa...
Read more

Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas

Image
News that matter in Papua New Guinea Sorcery tortures and violence are still being practised in Papua New Guinea in this 21st Century digital era. Sorcery shame for Papua New Guinea in X’mas PORT MORESBY: It was international shame for Papua New Guinea (PNG) this Christmas when sorcery reared its ugly head. Six women were stripped, bound to poles and burnt with hot knives as they screamed in pain, watched by an unsympathetic crowd. In a video that has gone viral in the internet, the women were accused of practising sorcery in Southern’s Enga. Police Comm David Manning described the sorcery torture as vile, inhumane, uncivilised, void of any human decency. “Papua New Guinea cannot progress without letting go of these horrific traditional beliefs. We have launched an urgent probe into the incident in Aiya’s Pawayamo village in Kagua-Erave.” The news break was published by The National : Horror torture of women Decem...
Read more