Princess Ashika trial set for next month

The Princess Ashika. Photo / Supplied

The Princess Ashika manslaughter trials will start next month, with New Zealander John Jonesse one of four people and the Shipping Corporation of Polynesia (SCP) fighting charges they were responsible for the deaths of 74 people.

The trial date of February 7 was confirmed at a pre-trial conference held yesterday, the Matangi Tonga website reported.

Crown counsel Sione Sisifa said the jury trial, before Justice Robert Schuster and a jury of seven, was expected to run for at least a month.

SCP, Jonesse, Ashika captain Makahokovalu Tuputupu, first mate Semisi Pomale, and the former acting director of Tonga's marine division, Viliami Tu'ipulotu, are charged with more than 40 offences following the 2009 sinking and subsequent inquiry, which found the rusting ferry was unfit to sail.

Tuputupu and SCP were charged with more than 10 additional counts each, as well as manslaughter, while Jonesse is charged with eight counts of manslaughter by negligence, forgery in relation to an audit report, knowingly dealing with a forged document and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.

Tu'ipulotu is charged with six counts of manslaughter by negligence and five counts of sending an unseaworthy ship to sea.

Pomale is charged with one count of manslaughter by negligence.

- NZPA