Gold miner charged again with Brazilian’s murder

Michael Melville

A gold miner was yesterday charged once again with the murder of a Brazilian national.

The charge against Michael Melville for the murder of Jose Oliveira Silva, which was committed between December 2nd and December 5th, 2015, at Arau landing, Wenamu River, had been previously withdrawn due to the absence of witnesses.

After the charge was reinstituted, Melville, 30, was not required to offer a plea and Chief Magistrate Ann McLennan remanded him to prison. The proceedings were then adjourned until March 20th, when the case will be heard at the Kamarang Magistrate’s Court.

It was previously reported that the body of Silva, 62, was found on December 5th, 2015, at Arau, bearing marks of violence

Based on information gathered, Silva and another man were involved in a fight and he was chopped about his body. He subsequently died.