The man accused of murdering 16-year-old Salote Sikiti in Naqali, Naitasiri, last year has told the High Court in Suva that he was prevented from taking his prescribed medication at the remand centre due to claimed side effects.
Samuela Dasalusalu, 43, told Justice Daniel Goundar the medication helps him feel better. The judge said he was unsure if the allegations were accurate and was informed that the prosecution would check with the remand centre.
Mr Dasalusalu is alleged to have attacked the teenager with a cane knife while she was returning home from a shop, causing severe injuries that led to her death. He also told the court he has no family in Suva and that no one has visited him since his remand.
Following an earlier psychiatric report that found him unfit to stand trial and diagnosed him with schizophrenia, Justice Goundar has ordered a second evaluation to determine whether Dasalusalu was mentally impaired at the time of the alleged offence.
The case is adjourned to March 27.
