Verdicts in the trial of five policemen accused of manslaughter in Kali Fungavaka’s death are expected to be delivered on June 6, at the Nuku’alofa Supreme Court.

Mr Justice Cato has retired to deliberate on his verdicts after the Crown Prosecutor ‘Aminiasi Kefu completed his closing submission this afternoon.

The defence side represented by counsel ‘Ofa Pouono, Palu Taufateau and Sione ‘Etika had completed their submissions on Monday, May 12.

The judge will deliver his verdicts following a separate jury trial for the civilian accused Semisi Kalisitiane Manu, which starts on Monday, May 19 and is expected to run for three-weeks.

The accused Police Inspector Kelepi Hala‘ufia and Police Constables Salesi Maile, Tevita Vakalahi, Manu Tu’ivai, Fatai Faletau who were tried by judge alone have pleaded not guilty to manslaughter, with an alternative charge of grievous bodily harm. They remain on bail until the set date.

The trial by judge, which began on April 8 had 29 witnesses giving evidence for the Crown while the defence chose not to call any witnesses. Mr Justice Cato suppressed the publication of the closing submissions because of the upcoming jury trial.

Jury-trial

Meanwhile, the accused Manu who was in prison cell 7 when Kali was in custody at the Nuku’alofa Police station is similarly charged with manslaughter, with the alternative of grievous bodily harm.

The jury trial starts with the jury selection on May 19. The Crown will call 20 witnesses and anticipates a verdict from the jury on June 6.

Kali, a New Zealand Police officer who was fatally injured while in police custody in Nuku’alofa died on August 23, 2012 at Vaiola Hospital.