10-26-2007, 06:14 PM
Chief Justice Anthony Ford, in summing up for the jury yesterday morning, told the seven-member jury that yesterday marked the end of one of the longest trials in Tonga’s judicial history
The trial of seven men accused of various offences that occurred on the 16th November of last year was into its 13th day yesterday with Justice Ford giving legal directions and a summary of the evidence to the jury before they retired to deliberate on the seven verdicts that they will return with.
Justice Ford told the jurors that they should consider only the evidence given in Court although they would have heard other stories outside of the courtroom from friends and relatives.
“It’s the most significant tragic event that has happened in Tonga in our lifetime,” said Justice Ford yesterday.
Justice Ford reminded the seven-man jury that, as he had told them at the very beginning of the trial, it was absolutely essential that they decide guilty or not guilty on each of the seven accused on evidence presented individually against them.
Justice Ford also thanked the jury for their patience and their punctuality and attention during the trial and said that he had impressed by their effort.
The seven offenders in this first group jury trial are: ‘Epeti Anitema, Lafitani Tafolo, Māpele Talatala, Sitiveni Tafolo and Laukau Pongia who are being represented by lawyer Mana Kaufusi; and Kumifonua Folau and ‘Aisea ‘Ali who are being represented by lawyer ‘Ofa Pouono.
View full story: http://www.tonga-now.to/Article.aspx?ID=4472&Mode=1
The trial of seven men accused of various offences that occurred on the 16th November of last year was into its 13th day yesterday with Justice Ford giving legal directions and a summary of the evidence to the jury before they retired to deliberate on the seven verdicts that they will return with.
Justice Ford told the jurors that they should consider only the evidence given in Court although they would have heard other stories outside of the courtroom from friends and relatives.
“It’s the most significant tragic event that has happened in Tonga in our lifetime,” said Justice Ford yesterday.
Justice Ford reminded the seven-man jury that, as he had told them at the very beginning of the trial, it was absolutely essential that they decide guilty or not guilty on each of the seven accused on evidence presented individually against them.
Justice Ford also thanked the jury for their patience and their punctuality and attention during the trial and said that he had impressed by their effort.
The seven offenders in this first group jury trial are: ‘Epeti Anitema, Lafitani Tafolo, Māpele Talatala, Sitiveni Tafolo and Laukau Pongia who are being represented by lawyer Mana Kaufusi; and Kumifonua Folau and ‘Aisea ‘Ali who are being represented by lawyer ‘Ofa Pouono.
View full story: http://www.tonga-now.to/Article.aspx?ID=4472&Mode=1