The state today told the Suva High Court that Usaia Kilaiverata furiously attacked Losana McGowan on 4th April last year in Toorak.
While making closing submissions in Kilaiverata’s murder trial, state lawyer, Michael Delaney told the three assessors that Kilaivereta knew what he was doing and intentionally killed McGowan.
Delaney also said that Kilaiverata had an obvious motive not to give Police the factual truth.
He says Kilaiverata’s account of what happened is unbelievable.
Delaney also told the assessors to disregard Acting Sergeant of the Fiji Police Force Apisai Dredreyara’s evidence where he had said that Kilaiverata had told him that his partner fell down from the steps and hit a gas tank during an argument.
Delaney says these things were said 18 months after the incident.
He also highlighted to the assessors that Kilaiverata had said in his caution interview that he punched and kicked McGowan’s face.
Meanwhile defence lawyer Samanunu Vaniqi told the assessors that it was not murder but an accident and her client wants the court to find him guilty of manslaughter.
Vaniqi told the court that Kilaiverata and McGowan were arguing and McGowan was not sober during the time of the incident.
Vaniqi says McGowan fell face down from the stairs and hit the gas tank after getting hit by Kilaiverata.
She also told the court that Kilaiverata took full responsibility of the accidental death and confessed to Police about it.
The defence lawyer also highlighted to the assessors that the state lawyer is asking the court to disregard some statements of its own witness who has 18 years of experience in Police.
High Court Judge Justice Priyantha Fernando will sum up the case on Friday.
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