The man accused of murdering his de facto partner at a home on Albert Lee Place in Nailuva, Raiwai in October last year, will receive his judgment on the 14th of next month.
Anare Vuli Cilicewa appeared before Suva High Court Judge Justice Pita Bulimainaivalu today for closing submissions.
Defence lawyer Manisha Singh informed the court that they believe their client did not murder 25-year-old Shabreen Shain Ali, as he testified that he was not at the house on the day the alleged murder occurred.
Singh said there were also discrepancies in the testimony of prosecution witnesses, while DNA results from the crime scene were inconclusive.
When asked by Justice Bulimainaivalu about the weight of Cilicewa's testimony compared with that of the ten prosecution witnesses, Singh said that witness Luse Mara's testimony had changed, noting that she told police one thing and the court another.
She argued that her client is not guilty because police only became aware that a homicide had occurred more than 24 hours after Ali's death.
Singh also highlighted that during that 24-hour period, several people entered and left the crime scene. She said her client testified that the last time he saw Ali, she was still alive.
She adds that Cilicewa informed them that he was being framed for murder.
Meanwhile, the prosecution informed the court that it stands by the statements of its witnesses, who clearly placed the accused inside the house on the day of the murder.
The prosecutor said witness Luse Mara told the court that she saw Cilicewa enter Ali's room and that she was also present when the accused allegedly killed Ali.
According to Mara's account, Cilicewa allegedly shoved a condom into Ali's mouth and strangled her with an electric cord until she could no longer breathe.
The prosecutor added that Mara also told the court that Cilicewa threatened her and warned her not to tell anyone about the incident. If anyone asked about Ali, she was instructed to say that Ali had gone to the hospital.
When Justice Bulimainaivalu asked why Mara did not report the incident, the prosecutor said Mara feared for her life because Cilicewa had allegedly threatened that if she told anyone, she would face the same fate as Ali.
Justice Bulimainaivalu is expected to deliver his judgment on the 14th of next month.
