Doctor says Tawase heard voices telling him to desecrate Samabula Temple

Acting Senior Medical Officer at Saint Giles Hospital, Dr Christine Chand, says that Samuela Tawase, told them during an interview that the voices in his head told him to desecrate the temple in Samabula.

While takin the stand this morning during the trial, Dr Chand says Tawase told them during one of his sessions that he heard evil voices screaming from inside the temple and two female voices telling him that if he does not comply, they will kill. 

She says this was revealed during three consecutive sessions with Tawase in July last year.

The Acting Senior Medical Officer says Tawase was diagnosed with schizophrenia, a chronic, severe mental health disorder characterised by disruptions in thought processes, perceptions, and behaviours, often causing a disconnection from reality involving symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, disorganised speech, and social withdrawal, typically requiring lifelong treatment.

She says that when he was given the "Presser" test to determine if a defendant is fit to stand trial, and the core requirement is that the accused must have sufficient mental capacity to understand the proceedings, Tawase passed all six criteria.

During examination-in-chief by State counsel, Livai Tuivuya asked if Tawase was under the influence of substances during the time of the act, Dr Chand says this is possible.

Dr Chand says Tawase's substance abuse history shows that he has been smoking suki since he was 15 and added marijuana when he turned 18, even admitting that he liked to smoke marijuana and suki together.

While responding to questions during cross-examination by defence counsel Lanieta Gonewai on whether Tawase might have been under the influence of his mental illness, Dr Chand says this is possible as well.

During re-examination by Tuivuya on the possibility that Tawase was on his medication as well as under the influence of substances, which could have caused him to act the way he did, Dr Chand says this was also possible.

The trial will continue on 13th April, where the State will call their second witness.