I can’t wait. There are a lot of cases.
That was High Court Judge Justice Salesi Temo’s message to Leader of Jezreel Lion of Judah Jone Cokanauto’s lawyer Siimione Valenitabua.
Justice Temo had asked for the mitigation submission straight after he found Cokanauto guilty of all charges.
Valenitabua said he can give a written mitigation submission by Wednesday.
Justice Temo then told him that when you come to a case you come prepared.
He said that he cannot wait and told Valenitabua give the mitigation submission.
Justice Temo said that if he can’t provide the mitigation, then Cokanauto should stand up and answer the judge’s questions.
Cokanauto then stood up.
When asked by Justice Temo, Cokanauto confirmed that he is 55-years-old, he is married with 8 children and is a first offender.
He said that he was earlier remanded for 22 days.
Cokanauto then said that he is not guilty.
Justice Temo told Valenitabua to tell his client to withdraw the statement.
He said that after a trial, you cannot tell the judge that he is not guilty and you can take the matter to the Appeals Court.
Cokanauto then withdrew the statement and said that he will leave it to Justice Temo.
DPP lawyer Meli Vosawale then said that they want a 23 year prison sentence.
He also confirmed that one of the victims was between the age of 10 to 16 years.
Vosawale said that Cokanauto preplanned and deceived the girls and women.
He said that Cokanauto is a serial rapist where four victims were involved in a period of 7 years between 2005 to 2012.
The defence said the judge should consider a concurrent sentence.
Justice Temo will sentence Cokanauto at 11.30am tomorrow.
Cokanauto has been remanded in custody.
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