THE coronial inquiry into the ‘death in custody’ case of the late David Morton Siriheti Saemala was opened yesterday in the Honiara Magistrate Court.

Director of the Public Prosecution Ronald Bei Talasasa said key witnesses on the inquiry will be the police officers on duty prior and after the death incident.

Mr Talasasa, in his opening statement, said an inquiry was conducted because the death occurred whilst being held in police custody.

The deceased was 24 years of age, from Ambu in Malaita province, and was arrested by police and found deceased inside cell-four at the Central police station watch-house on Monday June 27, 2016.

After the incident an inquiry file was opened in which the Professional Standard and Internal Investigation of the Royal Solomon Islands Police Force conducted the investigation and compiled their findings and sent the file to the Office of the Director Public Prosecution in November last year, Mr Talasasa said.

Mr Talasasa also informed the court that the inquiry be heard in the afternoons so that other criminal matters can be done in the mornings.

The court agreed to the suggestion and today the mother of the deceased will give her story in court followed by relatives.

On Wednesday afternoon the officers involved during the arrest and manning the Central police station watch house will be examined.

Chief Magistrate John Numapo said there are 57 witnesses on the list however not all of them will be called, only those who need clarification on their statements will be called to explain further in court, but during the cause of the inquiry anybody wishing to give their statement relating to the incident can come forward.

Mr Numapo also said the Doctor who conducted the post mortem should be called as well with the forensic officers present at that time of the post mortem.

The inquiry hearing then adjourned to today for the mother of the deceased to give her story.

The hearing was conducted under the Fire and Death Act of the Solomon Islands Constitution.