Murder Accused, Saula Temo, A Free Man
In his judgment, Justice Perera said the prosecution had failed to prove that Temo had allegedly murdered the deceased. The three assessors had found Temo not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.
Wednesday 04 March 2020 | 15:39
A 23-year-old man who was charged and tried for the murder of a University of the South Pacific student has been acquitted by the High Court in Suva.
Saula Temo was charged with one count of murder of 23-year-old USP student, Akuila Salavuki, in May 2018.
He appeared on Monday before Judge Justice Vinsent Perera for the judgment of his case.
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In his judgment, Justice Perera said the prosecution had failed to prove that Temo had allegedly murdered the deceased. The three assessors had found Temo not guilty of murder, but guilty of manslaughter.
However, Justice Perera disagreed with the assessors’ unanimous opinions and acquitted Temo accordingly.
Temo was alleged to have hit Mr Salavuki’s head with a piece of timber and as a result caused Mr Salavuki’s death.
The deceased was found lying in a pool of blood by two men the next day.
Temo was arrested after weeks of investigation.
Edited by Naisa Koroi
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