Colanaudolu takes the stand

The defence counsel has started with its case in the Josua Colanaudolu trial this hour and Colanaudolu is currently taking the stand.

Suva High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo has ruled that there is a case to answer in Colanaudolu’s rape and murder trial after the prosecution closed its case.

The defence counsel also agreed with Justice Temo.

Meanwhile, a prosecution witness Dr. Anasalini Tabua told the court that she did not find any physical injuries on Colanaudolu while doing his medical examination on 30th March last year.

Tabua said that Colanaudolu’s x-ray showed that he had no injuries on his chest, left side of his jaw and on the left side of his hip.

However Tabua told the court that Colanaudolu felt pain when she touched him on his left side of the jaw, left side of his hip and chest.

The doctor also said that it is possible that this pain could be the result of injuries that was ten days old before Colanaudolu went for medical examination.

Other prosecution witnesses Sergeant Elia Waqasoqo, Corporal Viliame Saunaisoi and Senior Superintendent of Police Semisi Bokani told the court that Colanaudolu was arrested outside his residence in Vunibuabua settlement and he was not dragged from the sitting room of his house.

Defence lawyer Michael Fesaitu put to them that Colanaudolu was assaulted to admit the allegations that were against him.

The three officers said that Colanaudolu was not assaulted in any way.

Bokani told the court that after the devotion at the Navua Police Station, Colanaudolu voluntarily confessed that he raped and murdered the 14-year-old girl.

39-year-old security officer Josua Colanaudolu is facing one count of murder, 6 counts of rape, 4 counts of abduction and one count of indecently annoying a female.

The charges include the case where Colanaudolu allegedly abducted, raped and murdered a 14-year-old girl in Deuba in March last year.