Lolohea to give evidence in murder trial

The prosecution has wrapped up its case in the murder trial of Timoci Lolohea after presenting eight witnesses, and both prosecution and defence have submitted to court that there is a case to answer.

Lolohea is charged with a count of murder and it is alleged that he killed his defacto partner by stabbing her with two knives.

The alleged incident took place on the 20th of March last year at Nasilivata Street in Nadera.

Defence lawyer, Lisiate Qetaki has also confirmed that Lolohea will give evidence and they will determine later whether they will call other witnesses.

Lolohea is currently taking the stand before High Court Judge, Justice Salesi Temo.

Meanwhile, earlier today, the eighth prosecution witness, Taitusi Lualala who was the interviewing officer was asked during cross-examination by defence lawyer, Lisiate Qetaki whether he had asked Lolohea about his sicknesses and his specific mental stability.

Justice Temo also asked Lualala whether he thought the accused was in his right state of mind to which Lualala said Lolohea was in the right state of mind.

Justice Temo also asked Lualala if he thought Lolohea needed a physical examination to which he answered yes and then Justice Temo asked him what was his ground for entertaining that view.

Lualala did not answer the question but later said Lolohea needed a psychiatric examination.

Justice Temo then put to him why did the accused need psychiatric examination to which Lualala said it was needed because of the seriousness of the offence.

Justice Temo then asked Lualala why didn’t he make this recommendation after the interview if he had thought that Lolohea needed psychiatric examination.

Lualala then said that he forgot to tell the court previously that when the defence had put to him questions regarding Lolohea’s sickness, Lolohea had answered during the caution interview that he had an injury to his nose which sometimes  caused breathing issues.

Defence lawyer, Lisiate Qetaki then put to Lualala that usually during the beginning of the interview, the interviewing officer would ask the accused if he or she is fit for the interview to safeguard the answers in the end so that it is admissible in court.

Qetaki asked Lualala if he would agree that he never asked  Lolohea this and he only asked if he was sick.

Lualala said Lolohea was only asked about his health status.

Qetaki then told the court that there is another statement submitted to court that was recorded after the caution interview in which Lolohea had said that after his peacekeeping mission overseas, he had developed mental issues that was hard to overcome.

Qetaki informed the court that this statement was signed by a Justice of Peace.

Qetaki then put to Lualala if he would have asked Lolohea about his mental stability and had Lolohea told him that after his peacekeeping missions overseas he had developed mental issues that were hard to overcome, would he have stopped the interview.

Lualala responded by saying yes.

Justice Temo then told the interviewing officer that he is confusing the court and he should understand the questions before answering.