The third state witness in the Leader of Jezreel Lion of Judah, Jone Cokanauto rape trial revealed in court today that Cokanauto allegedly had sexual intercourse with her while two people were praying in the same room.
The woman who is Cokanauto’s relative, was 16 years old at the time of the alleged incident.
She told the court that Cokanauto told her that she was a very hard girl and he had to have sexual intercourse with her to release her.
The woman said that she believed that she will be redeemed.
During examination in chief, the witness told the court that she agreed to have sexual intercourse with Cokanauto based on the sermon that Cokanauto presented on the Samaritan woman.
She says she believed that Cokanauto was performing the act of God as she saw him as a man of God.
The woman says that she believed that it was spiritual.
She also says that she did not tell anyone about the incident because it was a sacred thing and it was a taboo for them to share that she had sex with her pastor.
Cokanauto has pleaded not guilty to five counts of rape, four counts of indecent assault and one count of attempted rape before Justice Salesi Temo.
It is alleged that he committed the offences in Nasinu and Taveuni between 2005 and 2012.
The trial continues in the Suva High Court.
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