Vakarisi Acquitted Again Due to Lack of Evidence
Magistrate Prasad gave Police Prosecution a lecture reminding them about Section 14 (g) of the 2013 Constitution where the accused person has the right to have the trial begin and conclude without unreasonable delay.
Tuesday 03 September 2024 | 14:16
Convict Jone Vakarisi was escorted back to the Suva Corrections Centre at Korovou, Suva, after his case was acquitted at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Photo: Asenaca Ratu
The Suva Magistrate’s Court has acquitted the case against Jone Vakarisi after Police Prosecution failed to produce full evidence during the trial.
Vakirisi faced one count of criminal intimidation by allegedly threatening an Alanieta Kuini by uttering the words, “I will kill you” with intent to cause alarm.
The incident occurred on May 2, 2022, at Nabua, Suva.
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During the court proceeding, Prosecutor Ledua told the court they were not ready for trial as their main witness was not present.
She told the court only the Police officers were present.
Magistrate Prasad, disappointed, told Prosecutor Ledua they were leaving him no choice.
Magistrate Prasad gave Police Prosecution a lecture reminding them about Section 14 (g) of the 2013 Constitution where the accused person has the right to have the trial begin and conclude without unreasonable delay.
He said because of the setback, he was going to rule for no case to answer. When asked, Vakarisi informed the court that he is now in the last four months of his one year three months imprisonment.
He was the only one a month the eight others that was convicted for the Nabua assault case in 2018.
Magistrate Prasad acquitted the case under Section 170 of the Criminal Procedure Act 2009.
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