Apenisa Waqairadovu 
[file photo]
Tevita Kapawale has been convicted by the Suva High Court for the murder of five crew members at high sea in 2021.
Suva High Court Judge, Justice Dane Tuiqereqere, delivered his judgment this morning.
Justice Tuiqereqere notes that all evidence by the witnesses is credible and consistent.
The incident occurred on May 18th, 2021, following a heated argument among crew members in the Mamanuca and Yasawa areas.
It is believed there were eight crew members on board, including three Indonesians and five Fijians.
Justice Tuiqereqere stated that the prosecution has proven their case beyond reasonable doubt.
He stated that the two witnesses who are survivors of the attack had told the truth to the court.
They had stated while taking the stand that Kapawale struck three people and forced another two to jump overboard.
Kapawale also threatened them to stay in the engine room and the fish hold or risk getting killed as well.
He believed that Kapawale was capable of killing seven people, as he did not approach them at the same time.
He adds that the suddenness of the attack put everyone in the vessel in a state of shock.
The High Court Judge also told the court that the interview Kapawale made with Fiji Sun was admissible, as Kapawale also told a similar story about how the killing unfolded to one of his peers.
Justice Tuiqereqere also highlighted that the fact none of the victims assumed dead have contacted their family since the tragedy happened can only prove they have been killed.
Kapawale will be sentenced on the 29th of this month at 10am.
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