Young man gets life imprisonment for murder [1]
Tuesday, August 20, 2019 - 19:47. Updated on Wednesday, August 21, 2019 - 09:32.
Tevita Funaki Katoa of Ma’ufanga (19) who was found guilty for the murder of Pita ‘Asipolo (44) was sentenced to life imprisonment on August 19, at the Supreme Court in Nuku’alofa.
The jury delivered their guilty verdict after a trial before Hon Mr Justice Cato, which began last week.
The Court heard from the evidence, that in the early morning of August 23, 2018 at Ma’ufanga, the prisoner was intoxicated, when he assaulted the victim by repeatedly punching and kicking him on the head.
This was in addition, to slamming his body on the ground. The victim who was drunk had passed out during the beating.
Police was called to the area, where they found the victim on the ground with blood coming from his head.
He was rushed him to Vaiola Hospital where he remained in a comatose state for about a month before passing away.
The cause of death was reported to have been severe brain injuries.
After the verdict, the judge imposed life imprisonment sentence on this young man.