Ashika trial adjourned to October 8 [1]
Wednesday, September 8, 2010 - 21:50. Updated on Wednesday, September 11, 2013 - 10:06.
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FOUR persons and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd. who are each charged with manslaughter by negligence over the death of a young mother, Vae Fetu'u Taufa, in the sinking of the MV Princess Ashika last year, pleaded not guilty at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa on September 8.
In a full courtroom, the five accused the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia Ltd represented by its counsel Vuna Fa'otusia; SCP Managing Director John Jonesse; Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu; Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu; and First Mate Semisi Pomale, appeared before Mr Justice Robert Shuster.
The five accused were each read their charges that accounted to over 40 offences in total and each pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Justice Shuster adjourned the hearing to October 8 when trial date will be set and he ordered the Crown Prosecution to disclose all statements to the defence.
Charges
Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu and the SCP have been charged with over 10 counts each. Five counts each for sending and taking an unseaworthy ship to sea; for not having a valid safety certificate; for having no loadline certificate and for not having stability information in relation to all five voyages of the ferry.
John Jonesse is charged with eight counts of manslaughter by negligence, forgery in relation to an Audit Report by David Shaw dated April 2009, knowingly dealing with a forged document and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
Viliami Tu'ipulotu is charged with six counts of manslaughter by negligence and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
First mate Semisi Pomale is charged with one count of manslaughter by negligence.
Viliami Tu'ipulotu was represented by Peau Pifeleti, Laki Niu for John Jonesse and Sifa Tu'utafaiva for the Ashika Captain and first mate.
Crown counsels were Sione Sisifa and Semisi Lutui.