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{\pntxtb (}{\pntxta )}}\pard\plain \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 \f36\fs24\lang1033\langfe5129\cgrid\langnp1033\langfenp5129 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 IN THE HIGH COURT OF FIJI

\par At Suva
\par Criminal Jurisdiction
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par CRIMINAL CASE NO. 32 OF 1990
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 THE STATE
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 v.
\par 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 ROPATE BAISAGALE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 MURDER: }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid16320256 Contrary to Section 199/200
\par of the Penal Code Cap. 17
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 JUDGMENT
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par Two assessors have returned a majority verdict in this case that the accused is }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 "not guilty"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  of any offence.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 The third assessor however is equally sure that the accused is }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 "guilty"}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  of both offences as charged.
\par 
\par }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 Such diam}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 etrically opposite opinions in my considered view can only have arisen from a grave lack of underst
anding and confusion in the assessors minds as to the court's summing up of the case to them.
\par 
\par In so far as the majority opinions are explicable, (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 if at all}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
) both gentlemen assessors must have formed the view that the accused had acted in self-defence or at least had a reasonable doubt about the matter in respect of both killings.
\par 
\par With that view of the facts and the applicable law this court cannot agree.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
The fact of the matter is that the accused was armed with a lethal weapon capable of discharging a number of bullets at a single burst, when he arrived outside Litia's sitting room at }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
249 Waimanu Road}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  and asked "Where is the money?"
\par 
\par On the other hand neither deceased was armed at anytime and it is not suggested that they had jointly attacked the accused or were unaware that the accused was armed.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 In such a situation it would be foolhardy even suicidal for the deceased to have behaved in a threatening or aggressive manner towards the accused leave alone attack him }{
\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 nor}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  in my considered view did the accused reasonably fear for his life. 
\par 
\par He is a trained soldier and was clearly familiar with the weapon which he used.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
He had been attacked previously and if he truly feared for his life then with or without a gun he would not have returned to }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 249 Waimanu Road}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 .
\par 
\par This court is unable on any view of the evidence on this aspect to avoid the distinct and unshakeable impression that the accused having armed himself, returned to }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 249 Waimanu Road}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  secure in the knowledge and confident that he could overcome any eventuality that might arise.
\par 
\par Then there is also the evidence of }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 Vitinia Ledua Baleilevuka}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  who was in the room at the time and saw the shooting.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 She was categorical and remained unshaken in her denial that the accused was attacked by either Peniasi or Waqa.
\par 
\par I accept her evidence on this aspect in its entirety and reject the accused unsworn assertion in court and in his police interview statement that he was attacked by the deceased at the time he shot them.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 Neither statement has been tested in cross-examination and both were made }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 with hindsight}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  after the shootings.
\par 
\par It might be that the 2 assessors in the majority disbelieved her evidence about Peniasi pulling out the money from his pocket after he was shot but that does not necessarily mean that she was untruthful i
n her evidence on the actual shootings which she would have necessarily observed at very close range and to which her attention would have been }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 rivetted}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  at the time.
\par 
\par Even accepting the accused's untested unsworn statement to the police it is sufficiently clear that both deceased persons were shot }{\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 before}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  they had actually done anything to the accused.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
Each was shot because the accused thought they were "....... going to do something".}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
The defence of self-defence is only available where there is a real (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 not imagined}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 ) and immediate threat to one's life.

\par 
\par I have directed myself in terms of my summing up and have carefully considered all of the relevant evidence pertaining to the issue of self-defence and I find as a matter of fact and in law that the accused in
 shooting Peniasi Yasawa and Metuisela Waqa did not and was not acting in necessary or lawful self-defence and I reject that defence.
\par 
\par As for the minority assessor his opinion is only explicable (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 if at all}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
) on the basis that he rejected all defences raised by the accused }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 including}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  provocation.
\par 
\par In this latter regard I am firmly of the view that his rejection of the defence of provocation is equally incorrect and may have been unduly coloured by the accused's admission that he was angry.}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 Additionally he may have been confused by the court's directions on the matter.
\par 
\par I have found the assessors opinions in this case of no assistance to me and I reject them all.
\par 
\par I have accordingly directed myself in terms of my summing up and again considered all of the eviden
ce afresh and I find that on a reasonable view of the evidence in this case the accused was subjected throughout the night of the 25th and early morning of the 26th to numerous minor }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 '}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 provocative incidents'}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  which kept him on the }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 '}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 boil' (}{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 so to speak}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 ) until 
he finally exploded when he was beaten and robbed and left senseless on the road side.
\par 
\par I accept that on regaining his senses the accused was overcome with anger and lost his self-control.}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066  }{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
I am further satisfied that in shooting both deceased the accused was acting under provocation which was further }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066\charrsid208066 'fuelled}{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 '}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  by the non-responsive attitude he encountered when he returned to Litia's room at }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 249 Waimanu Road}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  and asked for the return of his money from persons who either knew or ought to have known the answer 
to his question.
\par 
\par I am satisfied beyond all reasonable doubt that the accused unlawfully caused the deaths of }{\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 Peniasi Yasawa}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066  and }{
\i\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 Metuisela Waqa}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
 on the early morning of the 26th of April 1990 in circumstances that do not reasonably or necessarily exclude th
e existence of provocation and I therefore find him not guilty of murder but guilty of manslaughter on both counts in the information and convict him accordingly.
\par 
\par }\pard \qc \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\tqc\tx3969\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 (D.V. Fatiaki)
\par }{\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 JUDGE
\par }\pard \ql \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\b\f0\ul\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par }{\b\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 At Suva,
\par 20th March, 1991.
\par }\pard \qr \li0\ri0\nowidctlpar\faauto\rin0\lin0\itap0\pararsid208066 {\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10435483 HA}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066 C}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10435483 00}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066 32}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10435483 .}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid208066 90}{\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid10435483 S}{
\f0\lang2057\langfe5129\langnp2057\insrsid1131342\charrsid208066 
\par }}