BY ROMINAH FAKA
The man accused of murdering his victim and then throwing the body off a cliff in the Russell island, Central province, last year has been found guilty by the High Court.
Jonathan Felega is sentenced to life imprisonment, and the matter will return to court at a later date for counsels to make their submissions on the minimum parole term.
Mr Felega was handed his judgement by Judge John Keniapisia on Monday this week.
Felega was charged with one count of murder and he denied the charge and a trial was conducted before Judge Keniapisia from August 28-29 this year.
Prosecution called two witnesses – Felega’s nephew and Doctor Roy Maraka.
After crown complete its case Felega opted to remain silent without calling any witness.
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.
The juvenile told the court that he saw blood come out of the deceased’s 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 Felega.
