Farmer Pleads Guilty to Murdering Brother
The victim’s body was found on the ground near his home with a knife in his back
Wednesday 13 December 2023 | 13:36
A 36-year-old farmer of Nalawa, Ra has pleaded guilty to murdering his brother before High Court Judge, Justice Sunil Sharma, in Lautoka yesterday.
Samisoni Vurumatana was represented by Legal Aid Commission lawyer, Litiana Volau, while the State was represented by Saini Naibe.
The court heard that Vurumatana pleaded guilty to murder when the information was put to him on September 29.
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He also understood and admitted to the amended summary of facts when read and explained to him in the iTaukei language.
While reading the amended summary of facts, Ms Naibe told the court Vurumatana and the victim were biological brothers.
The court heard that on January 31, 2022, Vurumatana and his brother were heard arguing about the accused not tying up the bullocks.
Vurumatana was also upset that the victim had invited people to their home to watch movies.
The argument continued until 12.30pm when the victim left home to uproot cassava.
The victim returned home at 2pm to cook cassava in the kitchen, with his back turned to Vurumatana.
Vurumatana then took a kitchen knife from the shelf and stabbed the victim before fleeing the scene.
The victim’s body was found on the ground near his home with a knife in his back.
The pathologist confirmed in court the cause of death as exsanguination causing penetrative sharp force injury to the aorta.
Ms Naibe told the court Vurumatana admitted to stabbing his brother during his caution interview, that he used the kitchen knife and fled the scene because he was afraid of the police.
Justice Sharma was satisfied Vurumatana entered an unequivocal plea of guilty of his free will after considering the amended summary of facts.
The State has sought time until Friday to file sentencing submissions.
The matter was adjourned to December 20 for sentencing.
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