Court

Alleged assault on Lalauvaki not in the situation report: Fifth witness

October 18, 2019 4:32 pm

Late Josua Lalauvaki

The fifth prosecution witness who compiled cases of interest from all the divisions on 2nd September last year says the alleged assault of 26-year-old Josua Lalauvaki did not come up in their reports.

Constable Fiona Vulaono took the stand as the murder trial of two former police officers, Kelepi Kolinisau and Selema Tikoenaburevere, both facing charges of murder arising from the incident continued in the High court.

It is alleged that the pair caused the eventual death of Lalauvaki because of the alleged assault in Suva on September 2nd last year.

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Lalauvaki died at CWM hospital a month later as a result of injuries.

Constable Vulaono who was on duty on the day of the alleged incident says she was tasked to compile a situation report.

However, she says there was nothing in the report about the alleged incident.

She said on 2nd September she saw the police vehicle enter into the Totogo Police station yard.

She testified that Lalauvaki and his friend got off the vehicle and went to Tikoenaburevere who was talking to the driver.

She said Lalauvaki went up to Tikoenaburevere and started throwing punches at him.

In return, Tikoenaburevere held his neck.

She said while this was happening, Lalauvaki’s friend was exchanging punches with Kolinisau.

Constable Vulaono said the two women who were brought in together with Lalauvaki and his friend were also swearing at the police officers.

She said everything happened very quickly.

Constable Vulaono also admitted that she did include the alleged assault in her report and it was not entered in the station diary.

The trial will resume on Monday.