THE Court of Appeal has dismissed an application for bail pending appeal by a man serving time for murder.
On March 12, 2007, Solomoni Qurai and another were convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murder, to three years imprisonment for robbery with violence and to 12 months imprisonment for larceny from a person. The court had ordered that the sentences be served concurrently.
Court of Appeal judge Justice William Calanchini said at the time the application was made the applicant had served out the sentences for robbery and larceny.
He said on March, 20, 2007, Qurai wrote a letter, signed by both appellants, to the Chief Registrar appealing the conviction for murder. Six days later, the applicant with the first appellant lodged a formal petition of appeal. An undated letter from the applicant which appeared to be attached to the petition indicated that the applicant was appealing the conviction for murder and the conviction for robbery.
In a decision by the Court of Appeal, it was heard that on March 17, 2009, Qurai was granted leave to appeal against conviction.
Justice Calanchini said the appeal was heard by the Court of Appeal on May 16, last year, and so far the judgment had not been delivered.
The court heard that because none of the judges, who heard the appeal, are currently on the Court of Appeal, the appeal would have to be re-heard.