Murder accused Sairusi Ceinaturaga’s trial will commence tomorrow for allegedly causing the death of his partner’s one-year-old son.
Initially, it was scheduled to commence this morning, but Prosecutor Unal Lal requested an adjournment, citing that he had not been feeling well since the weekend.
Mr Lal said he was ready to start the trial, but his continuous cough during the examination of witnesses might cause some disruptions.
Mr Ceinaturaga currently faces a count of assault and murder, which he allegedly committed at Vunidawa settlement in Cunningham on October 17 last year.
He had pleaded guilty earlier this year to slapping his 27-year-old de facto partner while she was preparing a meal. He has, however, denied hitting his partner’s son with a spoon and hitting his face against a wall before throwing him down on a mattress.
Justice Siainiu Fa’alogo Bull said Mr Lal should have sought medical care sooner, given the trial was already scheduled, but the defence had no objections.
For trial proper, Mr Lal is intending to call five witnesses- the deceased mother, deceased older brother, an examination doctor, the photographer, who took photos of the crime scene and postmortem, and lastly a pathologist.
The three-year-old brother of the deceased will be giving his evidence in a closed court, while the accused will be in another room as per the state’s application granted on July 23.
Until then, Mr Ceinaturaga is further remanded in custody.