Man in Court for alleged murder
A man accused for the death of a Chinese man last month was granted legal aid and appeared before His Honour Chief Justice Patu Tiavasu’e Falefatu Sapolu yesterday.
Ta’uinaola Laupu’a, 31, of Salelavalu, Gataivai and Vaitele-fou is represented by lawyer Donald Kerslake.
Prosecution Leone Su’a-Mailo told the Court yesterday the accused is facing three charges.
He is charged with murder, aggravating robbery and assault with an attempt to rob.
Mr. Kerslake told the court that his client wishes to enter a plea of not guilty to all the charges.
However, Ms. Mailo told the court that the accused has five different matters before the court and an outstanding warrant of arrest for not appearing in court.
Chief Justice Patu then told the accused that the other matters before the Court will have to appear next week Monday for sentence.
However, the matter that he had pleaded guilty to is set for hearing on the week commencing February 18, 2019.