Colo-i-Suva Homicide Accused Gets Life Sentence for Murder

A 21-year-old man has been sentenced to life imprisonment by the High Court in Suva after pleading guilty to the murder of his 19-year-old partner at Colo-i-Suva on June 28

Suliasi Fuata appeared before Judge Justice Thushara Rajasinghe yesterday.

Fuata was charged with one count of murder.

It is alleged that Fuata on June 28, 2019, at Colo-i-Suva, murdered Salanieta Leba. Ms Leba, was rushed to the Colonial War Memorial Hospital where she was pronounced dead on arrival.

Fuata was represented by lawyer Shantel Hazelman from the Legal Aid Commission.

Prosecution was represented by Assistant Director of Public Prosecutions Elizabeth Rice.

Facts

Fuata and the deceased were in a relationship for many years. On the day of the incident, Ms Leba had visited the accused at his house in Colo-i-Suva at about 9pm.

The court heard that the mother of the accused had heard Fuata and the deceased arguing and she tried to stop the argument, however, they continued.

The two were arguing about the deceased’s Facebook page. The deceased was crying at the time.

The deceased was stabbed five to six times and lay motionless in a pool of blood.

The accused had then told his mother of what happened and that he was going to surrender himself to the Police.

Fuata must serve a minimum of 18 years before being considered for a pardon.

The accused has 30 days to appeal his conviction.

Suliasi Fuata outside the High Court in Suva after his sentencing on October 31, 2019 Photo: Ilaijia Ravuwai

Edited by Percy Kean

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