Defence counsel for the six accused who have been charged with manslaugher following the death in police custody of a New Zealand Police officer, Kali Fungavaka last August, presented a written submission to Magistrate Salesi Mafi today, March 5, in response to earlier submissions made by the prosecutor, during a Preliminary Inquiry on February 25-28, calling for the case to be tried at the Supreme Court. 

The Magistrate is expected to make a decision soon, if there is a case to heard in the Supreme Court. 

Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa called 23 witnesses to give evidence and on the final day submitted there is a case for trial at the Supreme Court.

Inquiry

Defence counsel Mele Kioa represents four of the accused, while the others are represented by 'Ofa Pouono and Palu Taufateau.

The preliminary inquiry had revealed various alleged beatings of the victim by the accused inside the police station and outside the Timeout Bar after he was arrested on the night of August 17, 2012.

Witnesses including police officers on duty on the night, civilians and inmates gave their account of what they allegedly saw. A forensic pathologist from New Zealand who conducted a post-mortem examination of the victim's body pointed out gruesome injuries that included a fractured skull, haemorrhage and bruising to his brain with the cause of death ruled as 'a blunt force trauma to the head.'

Meanwhile, it is understood all cases scheduled for today at the lower court were adjourned to next week due to the wet weather.