Trial Date Set For Murder Accused
ASuva woman accused of murdering her partner appeared before High Court judge Justice Salesi Temo on Friday and has been further remanded in custody. The accused, Marianne Premila Devi, is charged with one count of murder.
She is represented by Legal Aid lawyer, Lavinia David, while State lawyer Unaisi Tamanikaiyaroi, appeared for the prosecution. While presiding over the case Justice Temo said the trial would take one week and the date had been set from June 4 to 8, 2018.
The State's case theory, which was informed to the court on February 9, 2018, revealed that the woman was in a de facto relationship with the victim when the alleged incident happened.
On November 17, 2016 she allegedly threw a bowl of kerosene on the victim from head to toe and set him on fire.
As a result the victim allegedly suffered third degree burns and died on November 24, 2016. Ms Tamanikaiyaroi said the State was relying on the woman's alleged confession to the Colonial War Memorial (CWM) Hospital doctor who will be called as a prosecution witness. Also, her alleged confession to the Police in her caution interview.
She said they were also arguing recklessness and would be tendering the pathologist's report during trial.
Ms David indicated they intended to challenge the alleged confessions made by her client. Justice Temo remanded Devi in custody and adjourned the case to be called on April 17, 2018.
On the next court date the prosecution is expected to advise the court on the type of evidence they would be using to prove their case during trial.