Manslaughter husband gets 11 years

A Southern Highlands man who killed his wife after catching her in bed with his nephew is serving 11 years in jail from the National Court sitting at Walume.

Rickson Epe Kua pleaded guilty to manslaughter after he used a wooden stick to strike his wife, Kialu Jonah, once on the back during a confrontation inside their home at Wanga Village, Nipa-Kutubu. She died on the spot.

Instead of reporting the death, Kua buried her body in the bushes behind their house, where it was found two weeks later in a decomposed state.

The court found his act to be serious but not among the worst cases. Justice Derek Wood noted aggravating factors such as his use of a weapon, failure to report the death, and attempts to conceal the body.

However, the court also accepted mitigating points such as Kua being a first-time offender who pleaded guilty, cooperated with police, and was provoked emotionally.

Based on sentencing guidelines from the Supreme Court in Manu Kovi vs The State, the court said Kua’s case fit within the lower range of manslaughter penalties.

"In his allocutus, the prisoner said that the matters leading up to the death of his wife were an accident," Justice Derek Wood said in the published court decision.

"He says that he thought he was going to strike his nephew, however, this can never change the events, which is that he struck his wife and her life has been lost."

"I do not accept that her infidelity can be used in mitigation or an excuse as to why her actions in having sex with the prisoner’s nephew could justifiably lead to her death."

"In any event, his actions led directly to the death of his wife, whereby the life of Kialu Jonah was tragically cut short. In consideration of what appropriate sentence should be imposed, I note the prisoner pleaded guilty to manslaughter."

"If he had not pleaded guilty and was found guilty at trial, I would have most likely imposed a much higher sentence."

Kua’s total sentence was 11 years, but one year and nine months were deducted for time already spent in custody. He has been serving his nine years and three months behind bars since May 14.