Judge Acquits Mow of Manslaughter, Convicts Him on Lesser Charge
The High Court in Suva has acquitted Michael Junior Mow, who was facing two counts of manslaughter charges. However, Mow has been convicted for a lesser offence of aggravated dangerous driving occasioning death.
Mow appeared before Justice Vinsent Perera yesterday for his judgment after his trial ended last week.
The incidents took place on November
2, 2017, at Korovou in Tailevu.
State prosecution was represented by Meli Vosawale from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions while the accused was represented by lawyers Namrata Mishra and Salote Nasedra from the Legal Aid Commission.
The court heard that Mow was drunk and was driving a motor vehicle, causing death of two civilians and causing serious injuries to two passengers.
The court heard the driver of the that Mow was vehicle, which collided with a five-tonne truck on the day of the incident, resulting in the death of two passengers and causing grievous harm to the other two passengers.
In his judgment, Justice Perera said the prosecution had failed to prove the manslaughter offences against Mow.
He said Mow was aware of his intoxication, and drove the vehicle, which caused death of two passengers. Mow had pleaded guilty to the the two charges of dangerous driving occasioning grievous harm.
Justice Perera convicted Mow accordingly.
He also said the maximum tariff stood at 14 years and the defence would need to convince him to give a lenient sentence.
The matter will be called this afternoon for sentencing submissions and mitigation. Mow has been remanded in custody pending his sentence.