The three assessors in the rape trial of the Leader of Jezreel Lion of Judah Jone Cokanauto have come back with differing opinions on whether he is guilty.
The third assessor has found Cokanauto not guilty of all charges, the second assessor found him guilty of all the charges while the first assessor found Cokanauto guilty of 5 counts of rape and 2 counts of indecent assault.
The first assessor found Cokanauto not guilty of one count of attempted rape and 2 counts of indecent assault.
Presiding judge Justice Salesi Temo will deliver his judgement at 11.30am Monday.
While summing up the case, Justice Temo told the assessors that the prosecution said that all the four complainants were attracted to the ministry due to the power of prayer and the word of God. Justice Temo told the assessors the prosecution said that Cokanauto misinterpreted John chapter 4 which is the story about the Samaritan woman. Justice Temo also said that the complainants said that Cokanauto preached that all women were the Temple of God and they needed to be cleansed and the living water was his semen.The High Court Judge told the assessors that the prosecution said that the complainants took it as the gospel truth and that is why they consented.Justice Temo said that the defence said that the complainants were lying.He said that in his evidence, Cokanauto said that he did not commit the alleged crime.
The judge said that Cokanauto told the court that the allegations against him was a family conspiracy.
Cokanauto is facing five counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
It is alleged that he committed the offences in Nasinu and Taveuni between 2005 and 2012. Stay with us as we await the opinion of the three assessors and Justice Temo’s decision on when he will deliver his judgement.
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