Court

Lalauvaki died due to severe infection

October 21, 2019 4:09 pm

26-year- old Josua Lalauvaki who was allegedly assaulted by two police officers last year died due to the severe infection within the abdominal and chest cavity.

This was revealed by pathologist Dr James Kalounivuki who was the 8th prosecution witness in a trial where two former police officers face a murder charge.

Kelepi Kolinisau and Selema Tikoenaburevere allegedly assaulted Lalauvaki outside a nightclub in Suva on September 2nd, last year.

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Lalauvaki died a month later at Suva’s CWM hospital on October 11th as a result of injuries he sustained from the alleged assault.

Pathologist, Dr James Kalounivuki testified that he carried out the post mortem examination on Lalauvaki on October 14th.

He said there were bruising’s throughout his abdominal wall and blood clots within the abdominal cavity.

He said there were also extensive infections on Lalauvaki’s abdominal organs and his pancreas area showed signs of hemorrhage.

He also said that due to the extensive infection throughout the abdominal cavity, it was difficult to look for signs of previous medical interventions.

He testified that there were bruises within the muscles of these areas which could have been due to blunt force trauma.

When asked by the defense on whether there could be a possibility that the infections were caused by the hospital, he said that this would be better confirmed by the teams who were responsible for Lalauvaki when he was alive.

The trial continues.