Blackfort Bill

Murderer spared

He was given a sentence of 40 years in jail instead.

Blackfort Bill from Oro will have his jail term cut to 38 years after spending two of those years in custody.

Bill was convicted by the National Court on May 15 over the murder of his own uncle, Brenton Awai, on March 27, 2016, at Musa Block outside Port Moresby.

He brutally decapitated Awai while intoxicated.

The court described the killing as the worst in nature.

State asks for life imprisonment for murderer

The incident, which took place at Musa, Brown River, outside Port Moresby, saw Blackfort Bill pursue Brenton Awai with a bush knife, and severed his head, killing him instantly.

He returned to his in-laws’ house and told them of the killing.

The two had been drinking that night when Bill had an argument with his wife. He got angry when the deceased left and ran after him with a bush knife.

He was found guilty to wilful murder after a trial was conducted.

He apologised to the court for his actions and pleaded for mercy, saying he has a young family.