Man allegedly forced wife to drink paraquat, faces murder charge

A34-yearold Levuka man charged with murdering his 21-year-old wife appeared in the High Court in Suva yesterday. Tevita Deve appeared before Justice Daniel Goundar. He is charged with one count each of murder and assault causing actual bodily harm.

It is alleged that on March 4, 2018, Deve assaulted his wife and murdered her by making her drink paraquat. The alleged incident happened at Naikorokoro Village in Levuka, Ovalau.

Lawyer Marica Hussain appeared for the accused and Taitusi Tuenuku appeared for the state.

Ms Hussain told the court that the accused would not apply for bail application for his safety.

“We are not pursuing bail for the safety of Mr Deve because of the tension in the two villages in Levuka. I was told by his parents who have gone back to Levuka. Their children are staying with his parents at the moment,” Ms Hussain said.

State prosecutor, Mr Tuenuku said the victim told nurses that she was forced by the husband to drink the poison.

“We are relying on the cause of death and the post mortem examination report.

“There are witnesses who claim that they saw the accused dragging the victim on the day she drank poison,” Mr Tuenuku said.

“The deceased made a statement at the hospital that the accused forced her to drink the poison.”

The accused has been further remanded in custody and the case was adjourned to August 27, 2018. This will give the accused ample time to decide if he would continue with his bail application or not.