BLACK CAT TRAIL SUSPECTS IN COURT

Black track attack suspects in court. EMTV Photo

Six men arrested for the killing of three porters on the Black Cat Trail appeared before the Lae committal court on Friday for their first hearing since their arrests two weeks ago.

 

The six suspects arrived at the Lae Court House under heavy police presence.

The youngest is 19 years old, and the oldest is 27.

 

Four of them are from the Bitoi village in the Bulolo district, while the other two are from the Salamaua in the Huon district.

 

They appeared relatively calm as they entered the court room.

 

All six men were arrested two weeks ago by Lae’s CID officers with the help from village elders.

 

All have been charged with three counts of murder and ten counts of attempted murder.

 

They were told by the Magistrate that they will be remanded at the Buimo prison until December 20th before they appear for mention again.

 

This will also allow police investigations to continue before formal charges are laid against them.

 

The case brought about more support for government call for death penalty and it has received strong backing from Deputy Opposition Leader and Wau-Bulolo MP, Sam Basil who wants the suspects to face death penalty if found guilty.

 

It took less than a month for the Lae Police to gather information that led to the arrests of the six suspects.

 

All six men who were at the brutal attack that left three porters dead and several others seriously injured, including right foreign tourists. 

EMTV