The 18-year-old high school student who allegedly caused the death of Sharuf Shaakir Khan at a Suva apartment complex in July, has pleaded not guilty.
Rihaal Kumar is charged with one count of murder.
Kumar’s lawyer Robert Bancod informed Suva High Court Judge, Justice Daniel Goundar that Kumar has disputed the murder charge and has written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
State Counsel Bhavna Kantharia says Kumar wants the charge reduced to manslaughter.
Justice Goundar asked Kantharia if there were any admissions.
The State Counsel says there were full admissions in Kumar’s caution interview.
The trial has been set from February 16th to March 6th next year.
Kantharia says they will be calling 17 witnesses.
The matter has been adjourned to the 1st of December for a pre-trial conference.
Justice Goundar says if the charges are reduced and there is a guilty plea, the matter can be called earlier.
It is alleged that Kumar murdered Khan on the 7th of July this year.
Meanwhile, he has been further remanded in custody by the court.
