A “gruesome and relentless murder” was how Dr Isireli Biumaitotoya met his death in his home in Nadi last year, the High Court in Lautoka was told yesterday.
Delivering his closing submissions yesterday, Deputy Director of Public Prosecutions John Rabuku said the State had proven beyond reasonable doubt that accused Ratu Peceli Rokoralovo intended to kill the medical practitioner.
The State called more than 27 witnesses and tendered 15 exhibits to support allegations that Mr Rokoralovo murdered Dr Biumaitotoya between August 31 and September 1, last year.
Mr Rabuku said the evidence showed the accused repeatedly attacked the doctor with a long-handled cane knife at the latter’s Namaka home.
“The evidence of each witness called by the State was never shaken or discredited during cross-examination,” he said.
He argued the pathologist’s findings of about 30 knife wounds, including skull fractures, demonstrated a sustained attack and an intention to kill rather than self-defence or provocation.
“Thirty plus strikes is not proportional. It exceeds necessity.”
The prosecutor also alleged the accused drove the victim’s vehicle to Nausori after the incident, picking up passengers, refuelling and later returning the vehicle to the doctor’s home before leaving.
Mr Rabuku said this conduct was inconsistent with the defence of self-defence and showed the accused acted “without a care in the world” while the doctor lay dead.
He urged Justice Aruna Aluthge to find the accused guilty of murder, saying the State’s evidence was overwhelming.
The defence has been given seven days to file its response to the State’s closing submissions. Judgment is scheduled to be delivered on August 18.
