Sitiveni ‘Esi Muli (17) today changed his plea to guilty in regards to two alternative counts of manslaughter in relation to the death of a Chinese couple, Mr Feng Sheng Pei and Mrs Su Jie Wen, who were found with multiple stab wounds at a vegetable plantation on February 25, last year.

On January 7, the accused had initially pleaded not guilty to a total of eight counts, including two for murder and the rest alternatives of two manslaughter, two for bodily harm and one each for robbery and serious arson.

Appearing at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa, in addition to the manslaughter, he also changed his plea to guilty to serious arson relating to a motor vehicle that belonged to the deceased couple.

However, he retained his not guilty plea to the remaining counts that included the murders.

The Prosecutor ‘Aminiasi Kefu in opening the Crown’s case to the judge and jury said the trial continues because it is their case that the accused intended to murder the couple.

He said the way of trial is that if an accused pleads guilty to manslaughter, the Crown usually accepts it and that would be the end of the trial.

But in this case, the prosecution says no because what happened was murder and the Crown is not satisfied with the accused pleading guilty to manslaughter because it believes that the accused had the intention to murder the couple, said the Prosecutor.

The alternatives of manslaughter and serious arson were withdrawn, while the trial continues with the murder and other counts.

The accused is represented by Sifa Tu'utafaiva.