3 assessors retire to deliberate on their opinion in Aisake Vana's trial

The three assessors in the trial of a man charged with killing his younger brother after an argument over a bowl of dhal have retired behind closed doors to deliberate on their opinion.

While summing the case, High Court Judge Justice Vinsent Perera told the assessors that it may be relevant to consider whether there were inconsistencies in the evidence given by the witnesses.

Justice Perera also stated that the second prosecution witness, Ruci Vere who is the neighbour of the accused had said that she met the accused after the incident happened.

The Judge said that when the second prosecution witness asked the accused what happened, he said that he stabbed his brother.

The defense and prosecution have also made their closing submissions.

While making the prosecution’s closing submission, State Counsel Shirley Tivao told the assessors that the evidence of the accused was inconsistent in the caution interview and in the witness box.

She said that the accused was caution interviewed one day after the incident which means he had more than enough time to change his story to benefit him.

Tivao said the accused said in his caution interview that “ I picked up the knife and stabbed Suli”.

The State Counsel also said that the accused stated in his caution interview “ from the kitchen I ran to him with the knife in my hand”.

She told the assessors that the deceased Suliasi Veisere was someone’s brother, son and friend.

And in his closing submission defense lawyer, Nemani Tuifagalele said this case is about an unfortunate family feud.

He said that it is relevant to consider that the accused actually defended himself from the wrath of the deceased.

Tuifagalele said the accused threw a punch without knowing that there was a knife in his hand.

The defense lawyer told the assessors that it was a spur of the moment incident.

Tuifagalele told the assessors that the deceased did not respect the accused because he was always acting like a girl in the house and had a lot of girlfriends.

38-year-old Aisake Vana Junior is charged with one count of manslaughter.

He allegedly stabbed his brother, Suliasi Veisere on the 5th of April, 2016 at their family home in Kalabu.

The assessors will return with their decision at 2.30pm today.