Prosecution Argues Strong Case Against Former Cops Charged With Murder
The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions counsel Meli Vosawale has told the High Court in Suva that prosecution has a strong case against two former Police officers facing a murder charge.
He also alleged that both former police officers’ actions and assault had caused the death of Josua Lalauvaki.
The accused persons Kelepi Duri Tautaumacala Kolinisau and Ratu Selema Steven Dennis Tikoenaburevere are charged in connection to the death of the Kiuva villager.
They appeared before Judge Justice Vinsent Perera at the High Court in Suva yesterday.
They are jointly charged with one count of murder.
The two former Police officers allegedly assaulted Mr Lalauvaki after an altercation outside a Suva nightclub on September 2, 2018.
Mr Lalauvaki died at the Colonial War Memorial Hospital on October 11, 2018, as a result of injuries he suffered from the alleged assault.
Mr Vosawale told the court that the deceased had resisted getting out of the vehicle and both the accused persons had engaged in the alleged assault.
He also told the court that the deceased had sustained 80 per cent pancreas damage and rupture of the small intestine which had caused other organs to malfunction. Mr Vosawale told the court that the alleged assault caused by the accused persons had resulted in Mr Lalauvaki’s death.
Defence lawyer Akuila Naco told the court that he wanted look at the treatment documents and medical report of the deceased.
He claimed that the medical report was not clear whether the injuries were related to the alleged assault.
He also told the court that the deceased was hospitalised for over a month.
Mr Naco told the court that his clients had a role to play which was to take the deceased to Totogo Police Station.
He told the court that the CCTV footage had not been disclosed to the defence and the defence was working with the prosecution to obtain the same.
The matter has been adjourned for pre-trial conference to September 13.
Bail for both the accused persons have been further extended.
Edited by Ranoba Baoa
Feedback: ashna.kumar@fijisun.com.fj
