Two trials for accused in Kali Fungavaka death [1]
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Friday, August 23, 2013 - 19:38. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
The six accused men facing manslaughter charges in relation to the death of New Zealand Police Officer Kali Fungavaka in custody, are to be tried in two separate trials starting early next year, 2014.
The five accused policemen are to be first tried by a judge alone before the civilian faces a jury trial, at the Supreme Court in Nuku'alofa.
The Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa said that accused Police Inspector Kelepi Hala’ufia and Police Constables Fatai Faletau, Salesi Maile, Tevita Vakalahi and Manu Tu’ivai would have a one month trial before Mr Justice Charles Cato from March 31 to April 25, 2014.
The second trial will be a jury trial for the civilian Semisi Kalisitiane Manu for two weeks from April 28 to May 9, 2014.
A further pre-trial conference to confirm trial dates is set for November 27, 2013, he said.
The trial dates and procedure was set after a Chambers hearing was held before Mr Justice Cato, the Crown Prosecutor Sione Sisifa and defence counsels Laki Niu, ‘Ofa Pouono and Palu Taufateau, this morning at the Supreme Court.
Different trials
The case was adjourned from August 5 to today to decide how to proceed with the case after the accused pleaded not guilty and elected different trial procedures.
The five policemen had initially chosen to be tried by judge alone while the civilian elected for a jury trial.
The accused who are similarly charged with manslaughter, face an alternative charge of grevious bodily harm. Their bail was extended to November 27.
It is now over a year since Kali died in August last after he was fatally injured while in police custody in Nuku'alofa.
From the Courts [6]