NEWS

Assessors Deliver Opinion After Two-Week Trial

All three assessors have found Semi Benjamin guilty for three counts of rape after their deliberation. However they found him and two others, Vero Vakariri and Jope Vakaloloma not guilty
21 Apr 2017 11:00
Assessors Deliver Opinion After Two-Week Trial
Rape accuse Vera Vakariri (left) and Jope Vakalolomaoutside High Court on 21 April, 2017. Photo: Ronald Kumar.

All three assessors have found Semi Benjamin guilty for three counts of rape after their deliberation.

However they found him and two others, Vero Vakariri and Jope Vakaloloma not guilty for sexual assault.

The matter was called before Judge Justice Vincent Perera at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

The two-week trial ended yesterday with the assessors’ opinion.

Justice Perera is expected to deliver his judgment today.

Benjamin is charged with three counts of rape and one count of sexual assault.

Vakariri is charged with one count each of rape and sexual assault, and Vakaloloma is charged with sexual assault.

Vakariri was found not guilty of the rape count by the assessors.

The alleged incident occurred on October 25, 2015.

All three accused had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Benjamin is represented by Lavinia David.

Vakariri and Vakaloloma are being represented by Karen Boseiwaqa.

The state is being represented by Shirley Tivao and Swastika Sharma.

Edited by Ranoba Baoa

Feedback:  jessica.savike@fijisun.com.fj

 

 



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