Former Journalist Raymond Singh pleaded not guilty to the charge of murder this morning in the Suva High Court.
Singh is charged with the murder of his wife Wendy Singh at their Ragg Avenue home earlier this month.
He has been remanded in custody until June 4th where his bail will be reviewed once again.
High Court Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem also informed the two legal counsels that the case has been transferred to Justice Daniel Gounder who will hear submissions on the bail review.
Both parties have been told to file affidavits in evidence on the bail review if they wish for new grounds to be considered.
After consultations with the lawyers a trial date was been set for 19th January 2008 by Justice Shameem.
The pre-trial conference is set to begin on November 20th.
Funds Raised To Take Son Home 22/05/08
The family of UK national Wendy Singh who was allegedly murdered by her husband - former journalist Raymond Singh - are trying to raise money to repatriate her autistic son.
According to a BBC News report, Singh's family are adopting the two children the couple had together and now Mrs Singh's family are trying to raise enough money to take George, her son from another marriage, back to England.
The BBC report that Mrs Singh's family has enlisted the help of a charity which in turn has been organising fund-raising ventures in a bid to bring George back to the UK.
High Court Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem has denied the bail application by Raymond Singh who is alleged to have murdered his wife, Wendy Linda Singh more than a week ago at their Ragg Avenue home.
Justice Shameem rejected the bail application after hearing oral evidence from Wendy Singh's relatives.
Singh Denied Bail 21/05/08
High Court Judge Justice Nazhat Shameem has denied the bail application by Raymond Singh who is alleged to have murdered his wife, Wendy Linda Singh more than a week ago at their Ragg Avenue home.
Justice Shameem rejected the bail application after hearing oral evidence from Wendy Singh's relatives.
Justice Shameem also ruled that details of the grounds to deny bail and the details of the oral submissions from the relatives of the deceased be suppressed and not be reported, as sensitive issues were involved.
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Singh's lawyer, Haroon Ali Shah and State Prosecutor, Aca Rayawa made submissions yesterday behind closed doors for bail application.
Justice Shameem has adjourned the case to Friday, 23rd May 2008.
Singh In First Court Appearance For Wife’s Alleged Murder
The 28-year-old former journalist who was taken in by police on Sunday for questioning in relation to the murder of his wife was charged and appeared in a special court sitting at the Suva Magistrate’s Court yesterday afternoon.
Raymond Rajendra Singh was charged with the murder of his 39-year-old wife, a UK National Wendy Linda Singh.
The case was brought before Magistrate Aminiasi Katonivualiku who then referred it to the High Court.
Singh's lawyer, Haroon Ali Shah asked why Singh was kept in police custody for more than 48 hours. Under the provisions of the Bail Act, the accused should have been produced in Court within 48 hours. Singh had actually been in police custody for 61 hours before the court case.
The Investigating Officer Superintendent Keshri Lal was then called into the witness box. He told the court that he had called the Office of the Director of Public Prosecution and told them that the investigations were yet to be completed because forensic experts and the pathologist were still conducting investigations at the crime scene.
The Defence Counsel asked about whether the post mortem had been completed. Lal replied that it had not and that the cause of death was still unknown. Shah then said that all investigations were still premature.
The state was represented by Aca Rayawa, who asked Keshri Lal to describe what he had seen during their investigation. Lal described seeing multiple injuries on the victim and a crime scene was filled with blood.
Singh's lawyer Shah asked the Court to consider bail for the accused because he has two children – a 4-year-old and a 3-month-old baby to look after as he is the sole bread winner, who has a ‘good job’ and no previous conviction. He also told the court that Singh’s 4-year-old son was asking “when is daddy coming home?”
Monday May12th
Police are awaiting the post mortem report of a 39-year-old woman who is alleged to have been murdered by her 28-year-old husband at their Lower Ragg Avenue home early Sunday morning.
Police Media Liaison Officer Atu Sokomuri confirmed that the post mortem had been conducted and that police were only awaiting the report before before charging her husband – who is currently being held at the Samabula Police Station.
He said the husband was still being questioned to establish more detail into the murder.
Sunday May 11th
Reports emerged on Sunday that the couple, who moved into their Namadi Heights home, several weeks ago, had been out at a restaurant on Saturday night where they allegedly started arguing.
“The couple had a night out at a restaurant where an argument started before retreating to their home at the Lower Ragg Avenue,” Sokomuri told FijiVillage.
He said they awoke again at 1am to feed their three month old baby.
“The deceased has asked the suspect to feed the baby. (After) feeding the baby, the deceased woke up and started consuming alcohol. An argument started and the suspect wanted to leave the house.
“The deceased wanted to take the children home but as he was proceeding to leave the house, the deceased threw a beer bottle and it hit the baby.”
Sokomuri said the suspect then ran into the kitchen, took a knife and allegedly stabbed his wife on the neck.
The suspect, who is a former journalist, then fled to the home of his parents in Vatuwaqa, from where he was later taken in by police for questioning.
The Police Media Liaison Officer confirmed yesterday that a knife had been recovered from the scene and that the victim, who is a businesswoman originally from the United Kingdom, had visible stab wounds to her neck. Sokomuri confirmed yesterday that the suspect was taken to the Samabula Police Station for questioning.
“At the moment, (yesterday morning) the 28-year-old suspect, who is the husband of the deceased, is still at the Samabula Police Station,” Sokomuri said.
Yesterday morning police would only confirm that the husband was being questioned in relation to the murder.
Neighbours at the scene said they heard noises and the sound of breaking bottles at the home from about 1am on Sunday and called the police, Sokomuri said early Sunday:
“The Police received a report at about 2.25 this morning (Sunday morning) by a concerned neighbor, who heard movement and noises from next door.
“So a team was dispatched and they found a dead body. Upon identification managed to bring down the suspect who is at the station being interrogated by the officers.”
The victim’s three sons – a 16 year old, 4 year old and 3 month old are with relatives.
