BY ROMINAH FAKA
Judgment into the case of a man accused of murdering another man and throwing his body off a cliff in Russell islands, Central province last year is set to be delivered on October 14.
Yesterday defence closed its case with the accused choosing to remain silent.
Jonathan Felega is charged with murder. He pleaded not guilty and the trial ensued at the High Court before Judge John Keniapisia.
Court adjourned for October 14 for judgment.
Prosecution called two witnesses, doctor Roy Maraka and Felega’s nephew, a 12-year-old boy (juvenile) who at the time of the incident had accompanied Felega.
Court heard that on August 11, 2023 Felega and his nephew went to Sagelua village to buy betel nut.
When they reached Sagelua village the accused drank some beers with other boys.
After that Felega told his nephew for them to go back to their village Minisi.
On their way to Minisi village, they encountered the deceased.
The accused confronted the deceased, saying, “iu na killm mi ba [weren’t you the one who had assaulted me the other time?].”
He got hold of a stick and struck the deceased on the back of the neck and on his right cheek which caused the deceased to fall to the ground.
Felega lifted the deceased and carried him to the edge of the cliff and threw the body down the cliff.
After that, they both went down the cliff to where the deceased lay and the juvenile told the court that he saw blood came out of the deceased nose and his neck was twisted and broken.
Felega then carried the deceased and laid him near the base of a tree.
After that they went to the deceased’s brother’s house and Felega told them about the deceased having fallen off a cliff.
Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi acts for the crown and Ben Alasia acts for the defence.
