Radio song delays murder trial [1]
Tuesday, September 14, 2004 - 17:12. Updated on Monday, May 5, 2014 - 17:05.
Tonga's chief justice has ordered that a song called "Semisi Ma'u" should not be played on any radio stations in Tonga, so that a jury trial of a man accused of killing Semisi Ma'u may proceed.
Chief Justice Webster this morning postponed the trial of Nakita Folau Tu'itavake, (40) to 14 February 2005 in the Nuku'alofa Supreme Court.
Tu'itavake has been charged with the murder of Semisi Ma'u on the morning of 5 September 2003 in a parking lot opposite the Billfish Bar, Ma'ufanga.
The selection of a jury and the start of the trial was set for this morning, but the Legal Counsel for the defendant, Laki Niu, objected to the jury trial proceeding because of a song about the deceased, Semisi Ma'u, which has been played regularly by FM radio stations in Nuku'alofa. The song is the latest by local singing star, Mapa Ha'angana, and Laki appealed to the Chief Justice for the song to be completely withdrawn from the market.
Chief Justice Webster granted the defendant's appeal to adjourn the proceedings. He set a new date for 14 February 2005 and ordered for the song not to be played in any radio stations in Tonga.
The legal counsel for the Crown was Linda Simiki.