A motion filed in the Supreme Court by businessman Justin Parker has been dismissed because it was filed too early.
Parker was seeking extension of time to file an appeal against his conviction of manslaughter.
Lawyers representing Parker and the public prosecutor appeared before the Supreme Court this morning.
The state did not oppose the application but told the court it was filed prematurely, as they still had 24 days to comply with the 40 days appeal time frame.
Parker’s lawyers intend to file an appeal against his conviction on May 29 but are still awaiting the written judgment and were seeking an extension of time to be allowed by the Supreme Court to file that appeal.
Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia dismissed the motion because he was of the view that the motion was premature.
Parker’s lawyers have until August 6 before the 40-day appeal period is up.
He was found guilty on May 29 for unlawfully assaulting Lapan Nason on June 6, 2015, that led to his death.
He is awaiting his sentence, which will be done after submissions on sentence are done in court on July 3.
Parker was convicted for manslaughter, the lesser homicide charge after he stood trial for the charge of wilful murder in the Waigani National Court.
He remains on bail at the discretion of the court and is expected back in court on July 3.
The court was satisfied he unlawfully assaulted Nason between 4am and 6am of 6 June 2015 because he failed to turn up for work the previous day, which was an important day for Parker.
Lapan was hired as the chief engineer of Parker’s company to assist him with a helicopter he had purchased overseas. On 5 June 2015, CASA was to inspect and certify the helicopter for use. Nason was not there for the inspection.
The court was told during the trial that Nason had not been performing well at work because he was not being paid.
He was verbally fired by Parker that morning at 4am before the assault took place.
Parker told the court he acted in self-defence after Nason punched him. The court did not believe his evidence because there was no evidence of injuries on him after the assault.
(Loop PNG file picture of Parker from May 29 after his conviction.)
Related articles:
http://www.looppng.com/png-news/parker-guilty-manslaughter-59857
Trial against Parker commences - http://bit.ly/2qrIomK
Parker murder trial continues - http://bit.ly/2rcRm4A
Evidence in Parker trial closed - http://bit.ly/2qyXstP