Bail ruling for US alleged murderer next month
The bail ruling for the United States of America (USA) national who allegedly murdered his wife on an island in Fiji this year will take place next month.
The accused, Bradley Robert Dawson, allegedly murdered his wife, Christe Chen, also a USA national while on a luxurious honeymoon on Turtle Island Resort in the Yasawas on July 9.
The accused appeared before High Court Judge, Justice Riyaz Hamza at the High Court in Lautoka yesterday.
He was represented by lawyer, Iqbal Khan and co-counsel, Samuela Heritage while prosecutor, Alvin Singh represented the State. In his bail submissions, Mr Khan told the court that in Fiji there was no history of a foreigner who was given bail, absconding.
The accused has been remanded since July 10 and is nearing six months.
Mr Khan submitted that the accused panicked, as mentioned in his statement, following the alleged incident and had kayaked to another island and called the Police stating that he had a fight with his wife.
He told the court it made sense because when something happened to a person and they panicked, they do silly things. Mr Khan further submitted that if the court granted the accused bail with strict conditions, he could report seven days a week to the Police Station.
He also aired his frustration to the court that the State had questioned the two sureties on everything and it would be only fair if the State had put it in the affidavit of what they discussed about. He said it would be a matter of courtesy and ethics to tell the defence that they spoke to the two sureties.
In response, Mr Singh said the defence’s application was in desperation for the accused to get out of jail.
He also confirmed to the court contacting the two sureties with the intent to make certain checks. Mr Singh told the court that one of the sureties did not even know the accused and had never met him, but only through Mr Khan’s law firm.
He said the alleged incident happened on July 8, the discovery of the victim’s body was made on July 9 and the accused was arrested on July 10, where he was found with several items which a person normally carried if they were trying to flee somewhere.
Mr Singh told the court that the accused carried with him his passport, all his important cards, his driving license and US$1093 (FJ$ 2410).
He said it showed that the accused was ready to flee the country.
The substantive matter and bail ruling will be heard on January 20, 2023.