Date set for murder trial [1]
Wednesday, January 14, 2004 - 12:18. Updated on Sunday, May 11, 2014 - 10:55.
A man accused of murder will face trial by jury in the Supreme Court of Tonga on 25 February 2004.
Nakita Tu'itavake pleaded not guilty to charges of Murder, before Mr Justice Ward, who today set the date for the trial.
Linda Simiki is counsel for the Crown, while Tu'itavake is defended by Laki Niu. The murder charge relates to the death of Semisi Ma'u (20) who was stabbed to death in the parking lot of the Billfish Bar, Nuku'alofa, on 5 September, 2003.
Tu'itavake was ordered to pay a bail of $2000, with two sureties of $100 each.
Another man, also charged with Murder, was dismissed by Judge Salesi Mafi at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate Court on November 6.
On November 12 at the Nuku'alofa Magistrate's Court, Judge Salesi Mafi found Tevita Taufa Vaka, guilty of bodily harm and fined him $200. He had been in custody from September 6 and was released on November 6.