Defence raises witness coaching concerns as Lal family faces murder trial

The defence has raised concerns over alleged witness coaching as five family members face trial for the alleged murder of Eneri Ali at the High Court in Lautoka.

Defence counsel Stephen Stanton told the court that the five accused were entitled to a fair trial and argued that Priya Lal, the sister of three of the accused, had been directed and coached by the prosecution in relation to her evidence.

The accused, brothers Rusiate Kevin James Lal, Ronald Simon Lal, Ron Tuivuna William Lal, and their parents Sundar Lal and Baleiwai Waqabaca Lal, appeared before High Court Judge Riyaz Hamza.

They are each charged with the alleged murder of Ali on September 19, 2021, in Navakai, Nadi.

The court heard that Ali was the de facto partner of Priya Lal, the sister of the three Lal brothers and daughter of Sundar and Baleiwai Lal.

State counsel Sheenal Swastika objected to the defence claim. The prosecution is expected to call 24 witnesses during the trial.

Justice Hamza adjourned the matter to March 13 for mention.