Crime
Theft, assault, sex charges dealt with
Friday 11 June 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace Bernice Manarangi presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday: Vaevaeongo Tangiiti – appeared for a theft charge, which counsel Norman George applied to strike out as it involves a land dispute issue. Counsel Charles Little, who appeared for the informant, agreed to file the application to strike […]
Police stick to 'no-drop' policy
Friday 4 June 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace Tiki Matapo presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday: Taura Pukea – pleaded not guilty to a charge of threatening to injure or do grievous bodily harm. Legal counsel Norman George said that the charge was a ‘wild allegation’ and ‘totally unjustified’ and alleged that police had […]
Injunction dismissed by court
Tuesday 1 June 2010 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice Tom Weston’s judgement on the Democratic Party injunction dismissed the application and upheld the right of the conference organisers to call the conference. “It seems undesirable that the affairs of a political party should be resolved by the court without allowing the members to speak. At the end of the day, the party […]
Dragonflies take it to Red Divas
Monday 31 May 2010 | Published in Crime
As expected – the premier netball game between the Takuvaine Red Divas and Avatiu Dragonflies was hotly contested. But a rejuvenated Avatiu side came out to play hard ball and within the first few minutes of the game, the Dragonflies were up 5 points to nil. But the team experienced some speed wobbles allowing Takuvaine […]
Court report correction
Saturday 29 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Yesterday’s Cook Islands News court report said that Vaevaeongo Tangiiti did not appear in court on Thursday on a charge of theft. The defendant was in fact present in the courtroom – it was legal counsel Norman George who was not present. We apologise for the error. The defendant says he has entered a plea […]
'Warrior mentality' condemned
Monday 17 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice David Williams wrapped up a few cases on Friday in his last sitting at the criminal court of the Cook Islands: Japhet Manuel appeared for call-overs on possession of cannabis and utensils and an unlawfully found charge. Counsel Norman George told the court that the defendant’s “total cooperation” with all police instructions and […]
Parade honours departing chief justice
Saturday 15 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Police yesterday paid tribute to David Williams who is bowing out as Chief Justice and handing the title and responsibility to Tom Weston. Police raised the national flag and sat for a number of speeches recognising the work Williams has done over the years in the Cook Islands high court. Police commissioner Maara Tetava said […]
Lingering cases set for trials
Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Chief Justice David Williams presided over a number of cases in the high court yesterday Tevita Vakalalabure – call-overs on charges of assault with intent, threatening to kill, endangering transport and excess breath alcohol. Saunders asked that the case go to trial in the second week of July, but defence counsel Norman George advised the […]
Court orders landowner to pay indemnity costs
Friday 14 May 2010 | Published in Crime
An application filed by Taakoka Island Villas Limited (TIVL) for indemnity costs was approved this week. Chief Justice David Williams issued a judgment in the long-running dispute between TIVL and landowner Ruta Tupangaia regarding Aremango section 7A1A2 in Ngatangiia. Williams ruled that indemnity costs be awarded to TIVL on the grounds that Tupangaia’s conduct during […]
Jury still out on assault charge
Wednesday 12 May 2010 | Published in Crime
The first jury trial of the year was due to wrap up yesterday but the jury had not returned a verdict by the time this newspaper went to print last night. The 12 jurors were expected to be pardoned, after two days in court, after delivering their verdict but as the CI News went to […]
Government announces Weston appointment
Wednesday 12 May 2010 | Published in Crime
The appointment of Justice Tom Weston as the new Chief Justice of the Cook Islands High Court was officially announced by government yesterday. Justice Weston was nominated for the position by current Chief Justice David Williams, following a long-standing tradition of recommending a successor. Prime minister Jim Marurai and attorney general Wilkie Rasmussen issued a […]
Cook's sentence result of tightened legislation
Wednesday 12 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice Colin Nicholson’s decision to sentence 18-year-old Danny Cook to two years in prison recently, reflects the tightening of legislation following the Loomes case of 2006. Owen Matunga Tainga Loomes was sentenced to one year in prison when he was convicted of dangerous driving causing the death of Niki Smith in 2003. He also received […]
Dragonflies swoop to first win
Monday 10 May 2010 | Published in Crime
The Avatiu Dragonflies’ premier netball squad had their first taste of victory this season after a nail biting 43-42 win against their tenacious Takuvaine opponents. But it was Takuvaine that looked on-the-ball in the first quarter when they held Avatiu 10 goals to 7. In that first quarter, Takuvaine let Avatiu run free at mid-court […]
Arnold dubbed 'maestro' of the courtroom
Saturday 1 May 2010 | Published in Crime
Lawyer labelled by Norman George the ‘maestro’ of the legal profession Local lawyer Tim Arnold has been touted as the ‘maestro of the Cook Islands legal profession’ by his client, politician and lawyer, Norman George following his successful defence of him in the long-running Slush trial. Yesterday, Justice Colin Nicholson handed down the verdict in […]
Club netball back on court
Friday 30 April 2010 | Published in Crime
The club netball season starts today and the four clubs involved are keen to take to the courts. This year’s netball tournament will be contested by last year’s champions Titikaveka, last year’s runner-up Takuvaine, Ngatangiia and Avatiu. The Arorangi club pulled out the tournament because they didn’t want to play in the purpose-built sports Telecom […]
Slush trial finally finishes on question of witness credibility
Wednesday 28 April 2010 | Published in Crime
Atiu MP Norman George was described as an ‘unlikely criminal’ by his defence lawyer Tim Arnold in his closing submissions at the final day of the Operation Slush trial yesterday. In beginning his final submission for the defence, Arnold pointed out the obvious – George’s political career and his legal career are both at risk […]
One court case resolved, 28 adjourned
Tuesday 27 April 2010 | Published in Crime
Justice of the peace Dorice Reid presided over 29 cases in the high court last week, only one of which was resolved: Tereapii Tumutoa – pleaded not guilty to injuring with intent through counsel Lavenia Rokoika. Case was adjourned to May 20. James Tai Herman – Rokoika spoke on behalf of counsel Tina Browne, who […]
Landowners make demands
Thursday 22 April 2010 | Published in Crime
As the court battle between Apex Agencies and government began yesterday over whether their multi-milliondollar settlement agreement can be enforced, landowners of the Toa Petroleum depot site in Panama turned up to voice their own concerns. Representatives of the three landowning families, including chairman of the landowners’ committee, Philip Nicholas, delivered a letter to government, […]
Police prosecution fails
Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Crime
A man convicted of excess blood alcohol was pardoned yesterday in court because of errors in the prosecution’s case. Terereiti Kureta pleaded not guilty to the charge through counsel Lavenia Rokoika in January but was convicted and sentenced by justice of the peace Dorice Reid on February 9. Rokoika filed an appeal on February 14, […]
Penrhyn man claims 'outrageous' treatment
Wednesday 21 April 2010 | Published in Crime
A Penrhyn man appeared before Judge Weston yesterday to appeal a number of convictions and sentences he dubbed “outrageous and unlawful” in his affidavit. Arumia Robert Samatua alleges that he was wrongfully arrested and imprisoned, deprived of the right to a fair trial, unjustly sentenced to hard labour and exposed to public humiliation when he […]