Kaiwi’s bail denied, charge ‘still serious’

 

March 3, 2022Main Stories

A MAN who allegedly killed his wife in Port Moresby two years ago has again been denied bail by the National Court because the charge, changed from wilful murder to murder, is still serious.
Justice Teresa Berrigan ruled that although there has been a change of circumstance as regards to Bhosip Kaiwi’s case since the previous bail application, the facts of the matter had not changed.
Kaiwi, of Minj village in South Waghi, Jiwaka, is charge with the murder of wife Jenelyn Kennedy in June, 2020.
He applied for bail on the grounds that the charge has been changed to murder, that there had been unreasonable delay in progressing the case to trial, and that he was worried about his business and the welfare of his children, plus the risk to his personal security while in custody.
Kaiwi also said he was sickly, that the cells were overcrowded and there was poor sanitation and diet in prison.
The State in opposing bail argued that while the wilful murder charge had been replaced with murder, the alleged facts supporting the charge remained unchanged.
Kaiwi’s marriage to the late Jenelyn Kennedy was described as a “controlling and abusive” relationship.
It is alleged that over a seven-day period between June 17 and about 3pm on June 24, 2020, Kaiwi confined and repeatedly assaulted Kennedy, while at times masking her mouth with tape.
He allegedly assaulted her by various means including using pliers and a screwdriver, until she eventually succumbed to her injuries and was taken by those living with Kaiwi to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead on arrival.
Justice Berrigan said there was “a real likelihood that Kaiwi will interfere with State witnesses”.
“I am satisfied that a real risk remains until the matter is completed at trial,” he said.
Justice Berrigan said prison authorities had made arrangements to ensure his security.