Crown prosecutors in Tonga will tomorrow open their case against the shipping company and men accused over the sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry with the loss of 74 lives in August 2009.
The trial in the Tonga Supreme Court began today with jury selection and the dropping of 10
technical charges against Captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP), the Matangi Tonga website reported.
The six charges remaining against the captain include one of manslaughter by negligence and five counts for taking an unseaworthy ship to sea.
The six charges remaining against SCP are one of manslaughter by negligence and five counts for sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
The manslaughter by negligence charge relates to the death of young mother, Vae Fetu'u Taufa - one of only two bodies recovered.
Charges have yet to be read against the other defendants: New Zealander John Jonesse, a former Christchurch businessman who was the former managing director of the chipping corporation, the ferry's first mate Semisi Pomale, and the nation's acting director of marine Viliami Tu'ipulotu.
The jury of four men and three women was selected in 20 minutes, and Justice Robert Shuster instructed them to try the case from only the sworn evidence given in court and not to speak to others, including the police, media, family or friends.
Jurors were then sent home until the Crown opens its case at 9.30am tomorrow.
Tonga's Solicitor-General 'Aminiasi Kefu, is expected to call at least 30 witnesses over a month.
Jonesse is charged with forgery in relation to an audit report by David Shaw dated April 2009 and knowingly dealing with a forged document. He is also charged with sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.
- NZPA
