The High Court in Suva has ordered Fatai Peni, who allegedly killed his wife, to undergo a psychiatric evaluation assessment.

Peni allegedly slit his wife’s throat following an argument.

He appeared before Judge Justice Daniel Goundar yesterday.

The 53-year-old farmer is alleged to have killed his 47-year-old wife in December last year.

Peni is charged with one count of murder.

It is alleged that Peni on December 29, 2019, in Nasinu, murdered Apete Bale.

He also opted for representation from the Legal Aid Commission.

Prosecutor from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, Sadaf Shameem, told the court that the State was yet to file information in the matter.

This is because when they were going through caution interview statement, it showed that Peni stated that he was having dreams of his wife (the deceased) having affairs.

Ms Shameem told the court the accused also stated that his ear used to irritate when he believed or thought of his wife sleeping with someone else.

She also highlighted to the court that in his caution interview, Peni claimed that he subconsciously picked up the knife and stabbed her and that after she died, the accused was also hallucinating, that his wife was at their house.

Justice Goundar then questioned the prosecutor whether Peni had any history of mental illness.

Ms Shameem told the court she spoke to Peni’s daughter who said she was not aware of his history of mental illness.

She also sought orders for a psychiatric evaluation assessment to be conducted to determine if was aware of his actions at the time of the alleged offence.

Justice Goundar made an order for Peni to be taken for a psychiatric evaluation assessment to determine whether he was fit to stand trial and whether he was under the influence of any mental illness.

The matter has been adjourned for plea on March 27, and Peni was further remanded.

Edited by Percy Kean

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