15 December, 2025, 1:26 pm Central - 24°C Rain

Vana to be sentenced at 11:45am

Vana to be sentenced at 11:45am

By Vijay Narayan, Dhanjay Deo and Ilaitia Ravuwai
21/07/2017
Aisake Vana Junior (right).

38-year-old Aisake Vana Junior who killed his younger brother on April 5th last year, will be sentenced at 11.45am today by High Court Judge Vinsent Perera.

Justice Perera has found Vana Junior guilty of manslaughter.

Two assessors had earlier found Vana Junior not guilty of manslaughter while one assessor had returned with a guilty opinion.

Vana Junior killed his brother Suliasi Veisere at their Kalabu home after an argument over a bowl of dhal.

In his closing submission, defence lawyer Nemani Tuifagalele said that Vana Junior was remanded for 69 days. He said that this should be taken into consideration by the court.Prosecution lawyer Juleen Fatiaki said that the accused breached the trust of his brother, by committing the offense at their home.

While delivering his judgement, Justice Perera said that there is no dispute that there was a fight between Vana Junior and his younger brother, and Veisere died because of the stab injury.

Justice Perera said that the accused deliberately stabbed his brother and it was not an accident.

Aisake Vana Junior.

He said that Vana Junior attacked Veisere with a knife.

Justice Perera said that Vana Junior intended to cause serious harm to Veisere and he caused his death.

The judge also said that considering his demeanor, the accused did not give a true account of what happened on the day of the incident despite being remorseful.

He said there were inconsistencies in the evidence given by the accused.

Vana Junior has been remanded in custody.

 
FEATURE NEWS
Flash Flood and Heavy Rain warnings in force for Fiji
People are advised to be prepared for flash floods today to Wednesday as a trough of low pressure continues to affect Fiji, and this will be compounde...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Grieving father demands answers after son dies in Labasa hit-and-run
The father of a man who died after being hit by a vehicle in Labasa last week is questioning the actions of police following the incident and is ...
10 minutes ago

Rabuka condemns antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach
Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Sitiveni Rabuka, has strongly condemned the antisemitic terrorist attack at Bondi Beach in Australia ...
10 minutes ago

Some of the provisions in Referendum Bill are a mess - Naidu
Prominent Suva lawyer, Richard Naidu says some of the provisions in the National Referendum Bill are a mess, and they seem to have been “cut ...
17 minutes ago

Several roads and crossings in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki flooded and closed
As heavy rain continues in parts of the country, several roads and crossings in Lautoka, Ba and Rakiraki are flooded and inaccessible.The Fiji Roads ...
19 minutes ago

Rakiraki Town flooded
Rakiraki Town is flooded, and the water level is expected to rise this afternoon due to the heavy rain experienced throughout the country and the ...
22 minutes ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Sonia Shanaaz says silent treatment hurts as she waits for assistance for her daughter with cerebral palsy
Sonia Shanaaz, the mother of 10-year-old Aarna who was born with cerebral palsy, says silent treatment hurts after she reached out to the ...
3 days ago

I do not support police officers being charged on public opinions and without evidence - COMPOL
Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu says he will stand by his officers, and he does not support any officer being charged based on public opinion ...
3 days ago

Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
7 days ago

TOP