Late Lapan Nason

Parker was found guilty on May 29 for manslaughter over the unlawful assault of Lapan Nason on June 6, 2015, that led to his death two days later.

He was convicted on the lesser homicide charge of manslaughter, after he stood trial over the charge of wilful murder.

Trial judge and Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, in sentencing Parker, said the violence applied on the late Nason and the confrontational behaviour by Parker was totally unnecessary.

All evidence that will be considered by the court from witnesses closed yesterday afternoon.

Trial judge and Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika will now proceed to hear submissions from Parker’s lawyers and the state on the evidence they provided in court since Monday.

The state called eight witnesses in its case, these included the late Lapan Nason’s daughter, who is the state’s key witness, four medical doctors, two colleagues of Nason, the arresting officer and a forensic photographer.

Parker is accused to have caused grievous bodily harm to Lapan Nason on June 6, 2015, which resulted in his death two days later.

The trial resumed this morning where the state presented to the court the shirt that was worn by the deceased during the assault.

Police arresting officer attached with CID homicide, first constable Lenny Verage, showed the court the shirt. He conducted the record of interview on Parker on 11 June 2015.

A genetic medical expert also gave evidence of the shirt going to his possession for testing.

Day two of the trial today, saw the State’s key witness, the daughter of the late Lapan Nason give an account of what she witnessed that morning before the court.

Elsa Nason was the only person who saw what transpired between her late father and the accused, Justin Parker between 4am and 6am of June 6, 2015.

Her evidence is crucial in the case which took both prosecution and the defence the whole morning to cross examine her.

She was the fourth witness from the state.

He returned to court on Monday morning before Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika, who set the matter for a possible 4-day trial from May 1.

Public Prosecutor Pondros Kaluwin informed the court that the state will proceed the trial on the charge of murder.

Parker was initially charged for wilful murder in June 2015.

The 44-year-old from Minj, Jiwaka Province, was arrested and charged with the wilful murder of his chief aircraft engineer, 54-year-old Lapan Nason, from New Ireland Province, on June 8, 2015.

The exhibit item is the shirt which was worn by the late aircraft engineer, 54-year-old Lapan Nason, of New Ireland Province, whom Parker is accused of killing.  

Court directed that the shirt must be made available this week for analysis under the supervision of either the Police investigating officer in the case or an appointed police officer.

The directions were made on Monday by Deputy Chief Justice Sir Gibbs Salika after requests were made by Parker’s lawyer in court.

The 43-year-old is from Minj, Jiwaka Province. He was arrested and charged with the willful murder of his chief aircraft engineer, 54 year old Lapan Nason from New Ireland Province on June 6 at Gorobe Street, Badili.     

His lawyers filed a bail application in the Supreme Court on Nov 8 seeking bail on the ground he has hypertension and needs urgent medical attention.

Parker’s lawyer went before Chief Justice Sir Salamo Injia this morning for the Supreme Court directions hearing where a hearing date for the bail application was fixed.

Parker went before Justice Panuel Mogish on Wednesday where the state gave an update on the progress of the DNA test, which is being conducted by the City Mobile Medical Services. They are testing the shirt which was allegedly used by Parker to clean the blood of the late Lapan Nason at his Port Moresby home on Saturday, June 6, 2015.

The state informed the National Court that the medical service indicated that DNA tests usually take two weeks, but it can take longer, depending on the type of material used.