IN THE SUPREME COURT OF
THE REPUBLIC OF VANUATU
(Criminal Jurisdiction)

CRIMINAL CASE No.31A of 2002

PUBLIC PROSECUTOR

-v-

KAS KOLOU AND OTHERS

Coram: Chief Justice Vincent Lunabek

Counsels: Mrs, Heather Leo, the Public Prosecutor 
Mr. Ronald Warsal for the Defendants

JUDGMENT

Trial ia hemi just of a series of trial we hemi involvem people long Eton Village, North Efate. Prosecution hemi charged about 54 defendants. Court wetem assistance blong prosecution mo defence counsel, oli managem case ia bae separate trials.

Long criminal trial is PP v. Kal Kolou and Ors, Cr.31A of 2002, Prosecution hemi chargen 7 defendants wetem 7 different counts.

Olgeta defendants ia names blong olgeta i go olsem:

1.	Kas Kolou	12. Andrew Rolland	23, Sal Sandy	34. Kalwas Wesley	
2.	Eddie Karis	13. Bernard Timothy	24. George Sandy	35. Lamai Ware	
3.	John Karis	14. Pakoa Kalemut	25. Noel Kalkot	36. Toara Kaltong	
4.	Timothy Kalses	15. Taris Karis	26. lerie Kalskar	37. Kalter Kaltong	
5.	Kalkot Kalsilik	16. Kalses Kalemut	27 Freddie Kalomut	38. Sano Kalo	
6.	Kaltili Kalfau	17. Richard Kalses	28, Kalmar Supu	39. Jeffrey Kolorut	
7.	Spooner Timothy	18. Kaltap Richard	29. Kaltau Samson	40. Lani Karis	
8.	Kalfau Charley	19. Allen Richard	30. Kaltel Daniel	41. Jack Kalsakar	
9.	Kalfau Philip	20. Christian Timothy       31. Roy Kalsilik	42. Edward Kalsapa	
10. Billy Supu	21. Kalosa Kalses	32. Sial Roy	43. Frank Kaleur	
11. John Rolland	22. Barak Song	33. Kali Kalsei	44. Samuel Kaleur	
				
45. Kalosik Kaleur	51. Bobsul Kalfau	57. Kalkot Richard	63. Royice Ben	
46. Graham Kaltong	52. Willie Supu	58. Sial Kalosik	64. Merakwl John Ten	
47. Daniel Graham	53. Owen Supu	59. Jeffrey Rolland	65. Berry Supu	
48. Kennedy Pierre	54. Kaltang Kalwas	60. Pierre Kalfau		
49. Francis Kalfau	55. Bernard Timonthy	61. Pako Kalses		
50. Edwin Kalfau	56. Sano Rolland	62. Spooner Kalon		

Count 1: 
Particulars

Count 2: 
Particulars

Count 3: 
Particulars

Count 4: 
Particulars

Count 5: 
Particulars

Count 6: 
Particulars

Count 7: 
Particulars

Long end blong prosecution case, prosecution hemi withdrawem olgeta counts ia: 4, 5 and 6.

Mo after defence counsel no case application and submission, Court hemi dismissem Count 3 because ino gat prima facie evidence againsem the defendant charged.

Tiime defence case start, Court hemi deal nomo wetem 3 counts, namely, counts 1, 2 mo 7.

Only 2 defendants prosecution heimi mekem case againsem tufala namely: Kas Kolou and Eddie Karis.

Long Count 1:

Long Count 2:

Count 7:

Long wan criminal trial, hemi duty blong prosectution blong provum case against each and all defendants.

Hemi means se prosecution i must provum every essential element blong 1 offence beyond reasonable doubt.

Hemi no duty blong defendant to prove their innocence.

Time defendants givim evidence/toktok - toktok blong hem bae Court i must balance long same basis olsem toktok blong witnesses blong prosecution.

Blong Court hemi finem defendants Kas Kolou mo Eddie Karis guilty long counts 1, 2 and 7, prosecution i must provum beyond reasonable doubt olgeta essential elements blong offences ia.

Long count 1:

(i). Kas Kolou hemi callem meeting blong 23 December 2001, long community hall blong Eton Village.

(ii). Long meeting is Kas Kolou hemi talk about plans blong damagem property blong narafala man.

Long count 2:

(i). Kas Kolou mo Eddie Karis tufala i groupem ol people blong village blong Eton long 23 December 2001.

(ii). Kas Kolou mo Eddie Karis long meeting blong 23 December 2001 tufala i putum togeta 1 plan or mekem agreement blong damagem property blong narafala man.

Long count 7:

Kas Kolou hemi encouragem mo supportem people blong eton Village blong burnem hous blong Akau Kaltamat long 28 December 2001.

Court hemi listen mo considerem toktok blong witnesses blong prosecution mo toktok blong witnesses blong defendants. Court i come long conclusion se prosecution hemi no provum case blong againsem defendants: Kas Kolou and Eddie Karis.

Verdict:			
In count 1:
Kas Kolou	-	Not guilty.	
In count 2:			
Kas Kolou	-	Not guilty,	
Eddie Karis	-	Not guilty,	
In count 7:			
Kas Kolou		Not guilty	

Dated at Port Vila this 12th day of September 2003

BY THE COURT

Vincent LUNABEK 
Chief Justice