Verdict on Ratabacaca trial today

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God".

That was the bible verse quoted by DPP lawyer, Lisiate Fotofili during his closing submission in All Nations Church leader, Reverend Epeli Ratabacaca's trial.

Fotofili told the three assessors that the principle here is that no one is perfect.

He said this is not a political case and not to downgrade the church but the case is about a complaint of a citizen against another.

Fotofili referred to the sexual assault element of the first witness evidence, where the woman said that the accused had massaged her breast at the parlor on the 22nd of June last year.

He told the assessors to assess each count and if they feel the accused had committed an offence, then he is guilty.

Defence counsel, Filimoni Vosarogo reminded the three assessors to decide on the evidence that is said in the confinement of the court and not from the media.

He said Reverend Ratabacaca is a well known figure in All Nations Church and must not be judged any differently from other people.

He said Ratabacaca has the right of innocence unless he is proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.

Vosarogo questions whether the alleged victim had reported the sexual assault on the 22nd of June at the sauna to the receptionist or to the taxi driver or to the Flagstaff Police post or even to the Tacirua police post.

Vosarogo said that she did not report it until after four days then she told her husband, and when she saw that her husband's face changed, she told him that she was joking.  

Vosarogo also highlighted the evidence of Dr Epi who examined the woman in June and August last year and in February this year where he said that the woman suffers from an acute psychotic disorder.

He said according to the doctor the disorder meant that the patient does not know what is real and what is not real.

Ratabacaca's lawyer told the assessors to assess the evidence.

If they are unsure then the accused is not guilty.

Ratabacaca is charged with two counts of rape and one count of indecent assault.
 
Justice Paul Madigan will sum up the case at 10am today.

Following that the three assessors will retire behind closed doors to deliberate on their verdict.

Stay with us for that.

Story by: Tokasa Rainima