A 29-year-old market vender today told the Suva High Court that he had hit a woman in her 50s with an iron rod on the 15th of July, 2013 in Malele, Tavua.
Vinend Kumar is charged with one count of murder and one count of attempted rape.
Kumar told the court and the three assessors that he had gone to help the victim with an annual prayer ceremony at her home and was staying at her house two days before the incident.
The accused took the stand and informed the court that the victim had called him in her room to ask about the jewellery that she had given to him.
Kumar told Justice Salesi Temo that he informed the woman that he had sold her jewellery and an argument then broke out between the two. The victim allegedly grabbed the man’s chain and slapped him.
He said that he saw the victim approaching him with an iron rod as he was picking up the chain.
Kumar said that he grabbed the rod and hit her on her back.
He said that he did not notice where he had hit her and ran away from the scene.
Kumar later surrendered himself at the Lautoka Police Station but denies the allegation that he tried to rape the woman.
He also told the court that he was tortured by the police.
Kumar said he is not a witch doctor and he was just helping the woman with her prayers.
It is alleged that Kumar struck the woman with an iron rod which resulted in her death.
The trial will continue at the Suva High Court today
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