Final submissions by legal counsel in the trial of Siosateki Uikelotu Tu’itufu (19) charged with the murder of ‘Ailine Finau (18), whom he is alleged to have repeatedly assaulted with a machete was completed on February 11.

A seven-member jury is expected to be released to deliberate on a verdict, after Hon Mr Justice Cato sums up the case and directs the jury on the law, on February 12.

The murder trial, which began last week, nears the end after the Crown represented by the Prosector 'Aminiasi Kefu completed calling its witnesses.

The accused represented by Sifa Tu'utafaiva chose not to give evidence.

It is alleged that the murder occurred at around 6:00pm on February 13, 2018 in a bush area in Fangaloto, when the accused used the machete to repeatedly assault the deceased. This bush area is situated on a dirt road, off one of the side roads coming off Vuna Road.

Medical evidence provided by the Crown confirmed the deceased had sustained mutiple injuries including deep incisions on parts of her head and neck, causing excessive blood loss that led to her death.

The accused and deceased were said to have been in a de-facto relationship.

Meanwhile, the accused who had pleaded guilty to an alternative charge of manslaughter, stands trial for murder after the Prosecutor was not satisfied with just manslaughter.