Sairusi Ceinaturaga’s trial over 1-year-old boy’s death to begin tomorrow

The trial of Sairusi Ceinaturaga, who is accused of causing the death of a one-year-old boy in Vunidawa Settlement, Cunningham, last year will commence tomorrow.

State Counsel Unal Lal requested High Court Judge Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull for the trial to commence tomorrow, explaining that he has had a bad cough since the weekend.

Justice Bull reminded Lal that it is a very important trial and asked if he had sought medical assistance.

Lal says the cough worsened yesterday afternoon.

Defence Counsel Olive Grace did not object to the request.

The State Counsel says they have six witnesses.

Lal says the mother and the brother of the deceased boy will take longer during the questioning.

Justice Bull informed the defence that when the older brother of the deceased is giving evidence, Ceinaturaga will be joining from another room.

Ceinaturaga is charged with one count of murder, one count of assault causing actual bodily harm and one count of an act intended to cause grievous harm.

It is alleged that he hit the child with an aluminium cooking spoon, then struck the child’s head against a wall before throwing him onto a mattress.