Second Court of Appeal in September [1]
Tuesday, August 16, 2011 - 18:06. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
A Second Tonga Court of Appeal Session for 2011 is to be held in the last week of September and will hear over 10 appeals, including the Crown's appeal against sentences imposed in the Ashika trial.
The Supreme Court office in Nuku'alofa confirmed on August 16, that the second session is set for the last week of September at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
A spokesperson said they had received 12 appeal cases to date, including the Crown's appeal against sentences imposed by Justice Robert Shuster on Ashika captain Viliami Tuputupu and former Acting Director of Marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu, on April 4.
Lesser sentences
Captain Viliami Tuputupu was sentenced to four years imprisonment, with suspension for three and half years, meaning he will serve only six months for six counts, including one of manslaughter by negligence and five counts of taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.
While Viliami Tu'ipulotu was sentenced to three years imprisonment with suspension of the whole sentence, on six counts, including one of manslaughter by negligence and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
The presiding Appeal judges will be Justice Peter Salmon, Justice James Burchett and Justice Michael Moore.
The first session of Tonga's Court of Appeal for 2011 was held in April.