Chand murder trial starts
ONE of two men accused of killing a Fiji-born Canadian national near Korovou in Tailevu last year had admitted to police that he tied and strangled the victim’s neck with a wire and proceeded to hit him with a steel rod.
In the High Court in Suva yesterday, a video caution interview of Salimoni Lagicere showed him explaining in the iTaukei language how he allegedly committed the act on Narend Chand on February 19.
Mr Lagicere is charged with one count of murder alongside co-accused Edward Nand.
It is alleged that Chand had been planning to meet a ‘female’ he was communicating with in Fiji on social media but unknown to the Canadian national, the fake female’s proƝle was administered by one of the accused.
The two men then allegedly made plans to meet and rob
Chand upon his arrival in Fiji. His body was later found ƞoating in the Waimaro River near Waito Settlement in Tailevu.
The video interview conducted by State witness Sergeant Makelesi Ranadi that was played during the trial also showed Mr Lagicere denying that he had helped in disposing Chand’s body.
Second State witness Rusiate Rakabulou told the Court he had found a pair of three-quarter trousers with blood stains, a doormat, and a black steel rod on the side of the road.
He said he found the items on February 20, a day after the murder occurred and reported the discovery to police a few days later.
Meanwhile, DPP lawyer Zenith Zunaid reminded the defence lawyers for the accused men to be careful in their line of questioning during cross examination to not affect the other parties’ case. The trial continues before Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull today.