Eye Witness Disagrees About Reconstructing Murder Incident

The State prosecution’s main witness, Leba Ratabacaca has reiterated in court that she did not reconstruct her story about the murder incident that occurred in Korovou last year.

Ms Ratabacaca who is the ex-girlfriend of the first accused, Edward Nand, appeared twice on the witness stand for the alleged murder trial against Nand and Salimoni Lagicere, also known as doc.

The duo who are charged with one count of murder appeared before High Court Judge Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull at the High Court in Suva yesterday.

It was alleged that the duo had murdered a Narend Chand who became a victim of their catfishing plan.

Ms Ratabacaca’s reiteration follows a question put to her by the defense lawyer, Loqi Cati who told her that she had carefully reconstructed her story so that the Prosecution would not charge her too.

She told the court she did not reconstruct anything and that she was only telling it how she saw it.

Ms Ratabacaca’s account of the incident.

During the court proceedings, Mr Cati’s cross examination was to question Ms Ratabacaca not questioning or raising any curiosity about where they were going and who they were going with.

It was heard in court that in December 2022, Ms Ratabacaca received $4,000 remittance from Mr Chand who sent money from Canada.

It was heard that the money was retrieved from the Western Union in Suva by Nand who used her ID.

The court also heard that the second transaction of $900 was sent via M-PAiSA from a Value Fone outlet.

When questioned about ever getting curious about the money, Ms Ratabacaca told the court that her ex-boyfriend withdrew the money.

It was heard that the couple had planned to visit her cousin brother at Rakiraki on Sunday, February 19, 2023.

Ms Ratabacaca said Nand told her that they would make a quick stop at Waituri, Nausori to pick someone up before heading to their next destination.

Mr Cati interrupted her and asked about ever knowing the man that they were picking up; Ms Ratabacaca responded that she did not know him nor make any other contact with her.

She told the court that during the whole incident, the two accused persons were heavily intoxicated with alcohol and marijuana.

According to the video shown in court, Mr Chand was picked up from Waituri, Nausori at 7.48pm.

It was heard that she sat in the back seat with Mr Chand and remained silent throughout the whole 45-minute ride to Korovou.

She said the only time she spoke to Mr Chand was when he greeted her at Waituri.

Ms Ratabacaca told the court that the only thing she was told was that they were going to drop Mr Chand off at Ellington Street in Tailevu.

Ms Ratabacaca said when they arrived at Naqia, she took the opportunity to go and relieve herself.

She said, when she came back, she saw Salimoni strangling Mr Chand while Nand threw multiple punches at him.

She said she was told to sit in the front seat while they threw Mr Chand on the floor of the back seat.

She said she saw Lagicere, knelt on the car seat with the murder weapon, a metal pipe, and hit Mr Chand’s head with it, however

she was not sure whether he was alive or dead.

She confirmed to the court that afterwards, Nand dragged the deceased’s body out of the car and threw it in the Waito river.

She said it took her two days to inform the Police about the incident because not only was she traumatised , but she was threatened not to say anything as well.

The trial continues.

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