Court orders release of interview video

The High Court in Suva has ordered the State to provide video recordings of a police caution interview to the defence in a murder case involving a man accused of killing his grandfather in Wainibuka, Tailevu.

Charles Laxton Sundar, who is charged with one count of murder, appeared before Justice Waleen George at the High Court yesterday.

During the hearing, defence lawyer Andala Dean told the court that the State had only provided written transcripts of the caution interview, and that parts of the translation were inaccurate.

Justice George ruled that the defence must also be given the interview CDs. She said the recordings would allow lawyers to assess Sundar’s behaviour during the interview and the tone used by the interviewing officer — details not fully captured in a written transcript.

The matter has been adjourned to July 20 for further proceedings.