A farmer accused of the murder of his wife at her workplace in Walu Bay has been found guilty for the lesser charge of manslaughter.

Luke Nasetava was initially charged with the murder of his wife, Amelia Mafi.

The incident occurred on August 31, 2019, at Walu Bay in Suva.

The accused was seen stabbing his wife multiple times and the incident was caught on CCTV footage obtained by prosecution.

In his judgment, High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo said for the accused to be found guilty of murder, the prosecution must prove beyond reasonable doubt the elements that the accused did a willful act.

He said the prosecution must further prove beyond reasonable doubt that willful act caused the death of the deceased, and at the time of the wilful act, the accused either intended to cause the death of the deceased or was reckless as to causing the death of the deceased.

Justice Temo said the accused on August 21, 2019, stabbed the deceased multiple times on her back, head, and other parts of the body.

He said as a result of the stabbing, the deceased suffered numerous injuries which resulted in her death.

He further added that the accused killed the deceased at the time in the heat of passion caused by sudden provocation and before there was time for passion to cool.

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