Man pleads guilty to murder charge

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 August 2017, 12:00AM

A 23-year-old man who assaulted a 48-year-old man for no “apparent reason” causing his death has pleaded guilty to the charge and will be sentenced to life in prison. 

Shane Kerisimasi, of Fagaloa, Mutiatele, yesterday pleaded guilty to a charge of murder in relation to the death of a man at Luatanu’u in 2015.

Kerisimasi appeared before the Chief Justice, His Honour Patu Tiavasu’e Falefatu Sapolu yesterday.

He was represented by lawyer, Alex Su’a, who was assigned as his legal aid.

Lawyer Fuifui Ioane, of the Attorney General’s Office, was the prosecutor. 

During the proceedings, Mr. Su’a informed the Court his client wanted to plead guilty.

 “The change of plea by the accused from not guilty to the charge of murder to guilty is accepted by the court,” Chief Justice Patu noted.

He then sentenced the defendant to life imprisonment.

According to the summary of facts, on 26 October 2015, the 23-year-old without any reason assaulted the 48-year-old male of Luatuanuu.

The Court was also told that there are additional charges facing the defendant, which he committed while he was on bail for the murder charge.

Chief Justice Patu then adjourned the matter for Mr. Su’a to obtain more instructions with regards to the additional charges.

By Deidre Tautua-Fanene 01 August 2017, 12:00AM
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