Results for From the Courts

A Tongan maritime expert who was shown pictures of the MV Princess Ashika vessel a few months before it arrived in Tonga on July 1 2009, told the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa he had advised the defendant John Jonesse, that the design of the vessel was not suitable for Tongan waters.

Paul Karalus, Tonga's former Minister of Transport is to give evidence as one of the 30 witnesses to be called by the Crown during the one month long Ashika trial that begins in Nuku'alofa on Monday, February 14.

THE four men and three women jurors selected for the one month long Ashika trial were discharged this morning because one of the male jurors had a criminal record. Justice Robert Shuster told the court, that it was brought to his attention that one member of the jurors had a previous conviction and after discussing with counsels, he decided to discharge the whole jury. He said this was to ensure a fair trial and also to eliminate the possibility of whether discussion or friendship had taken place among them. The registrar was then ordered to call another panel of jury for selection on the morning of Friday February 11 with opening arguments by counsel on Monday, February 14. Conviction The one male juror from Veitongo had a previous conviction in relation to offences during the November 16 riots. It is understood he received a suspended imprisonment sentence at the Supreme Court. The jury selection held on February 7 did not ask whether the potential jurors had a criminal record and they were asked only whether they had any affiliation with any of the defendants and presiding counsels. After a local reporter informed the Crown Prosecutor of the jury member having a criminal record, it was then confirmed yesterday by the court. The jurors selected yesterday were from various communities in Tongatapu.

The trial of Liu Lirong (45) for trafficking persons into Tonga, trading in prostitution and keeping a brothel ended at the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court on Friday, February 4.

LIU Lirong (45) a woman charged with seven counts of trafficking persons in Tonga, keeping a brothel and trading in prostitution gave evidence for the first time on February 1 when she denied the prostitution claimed by the two victims and denied that she received payment for the sexual services.

The trial of a 42-year-old man charged for attempted robbery in a shooting at the Yellow Pier wharf in Nuku'alofa last April, is adjourned for two weeks.

Six candidates for the 2010 Parliamentary Election who failed to lodge an election spending statement were each fined $500 pa'anga each at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Friday, January 28. While summons have been issued on another six candidates on the same charge.

Lord Tu'ilakepa, the former Speaker of the Tonga Legislative Assembly, is to appear at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on Thursday, January 27 on charges relating to illegal firearms, illegal ammunitions and illicit drugs.

The new Speaker of the House Lord Lasike is set to appear at the Fasi Magistrate's Court on April 19 for a Preliminary Inquiry on one count of possession of an illegal firearm.