A thirty-nine-year-old unemployed man from Kalabu in Nasinu, charged with allegedly killing his younger brother over a bowl of dhal – defended himself in the Suva High Court this morning.

Aisake Vana Junior is charged with one count of manslaughter.

It is alleged an argument broke out between the siblings which later turned violent an ended up in a death.

Junior was emotional and cried in court while he testified about the circumstances which led into his brother’s death.

Junior says on April 5th last year, he cooked rice and dhal for his Sunday lunch when he saw his brother coming to the kitchen.

The accused said his brother always used to torment him by saying he acted like a girl – started swearing at him saying he was angry because of the dhal and later went on to punch Junior.

Junior told the court that he was punched four times which made him angry and he punched back not realizing he was holding a knife in his hand.

The accused says he tried to leave the kitchen however his brother pulled him back.

Junior managed to free himself after numerous attempts and went to his friends’ house.

He told the court that his sister relayed the message of his brother’s death later in the evening.

Junior – while in tears – told the court that he had never imagined his brother would die.

The trial continues tomorrow.