Results for accused policemen

Final submissions from counsel in the trial of five policemen accused in Kali Fungavaka’s death started today but its publication was suppressed by the judge at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

A jury trial for the accused civilian Semisi Kalistiane Manu who faces manslaughter charges in relation to Kali Fungavaka’s death is expected to begin on Monday, May 12. The first trial of the five accused policemen charged with the same offence is to end this week with counsel submissions.

The accused Police Constables Salesi Maile and Fatai Faletau had in their Record of Interviews denied assaulting Kali Fungavaka when he was in custody on the night of August 17, 2012 at the Nuku’alofa Police station.

A prisoner who was detained in a cell at the Nuku'alofa Police station told the court today he saw through a mirror the accused Police Inspector holding Kali Fungavaka in a chokehold and two other officers punching the victim, while another accused officer later stomped on his head.

Detainees who were in Cell 7 on the night Kali Fungavaka was in custody at the Nuku'alofa Central Police station said the accused civilian Semisi Kalisitane Manu punched the victim, causing him to fall hitting his head on the cement floor. Another witness heard the sound of a beating when Kali was brought into the station by the police officers, the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa heard this morning.

A policeman, appearing as a witness, told the court on Wednesday, April 15 he saw the accused Police Inspector Hala'ufia strangling Kali Fungavaka on the neck and pushing a torch onto his chest when he was inside the watch house, at the Nuku'alofa Police station.

The trial of five accused policemen charged with manslaughter in relation to the death of New Zealand Police officer Kali Fungavaka began today, Tuesday, April 8 at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa. Kali died at Vaiola Hospital on August 23, 2012 after he was fatally injured while in police custody.