A FARMER convicted of causing the death of his cousin at Namuka Jetty near Bau Island has been jailed for five years by the High Court in Suva.
Setareki Ratatagia, 41, was initially charged with murder, but Justice Pita Bulamainaivalu found him guilty of the lesser offence of manslaughter on April 25.
Court records show that on February 23, 2020, Ratatagia punched Jaoji Dumu three times on the head before the latter fell into the water.
The 21-year-old swam back and as he was trying to get out of the water, Ratatagia hit him again. A boat then came to the jetty, and Ratatagia got into it. He took hold of an oar and hit and speared Dumu with it.
Dumu subsequently died of his injuries.
In court, Ratatagia expressed remorse for causing the death of his cousin.
During sentencing earlier this month, Justice Bulamainaivalu said: “This was an unprovoked and violent attack by way of lethal assault on a 21-year-old victim whose life has been unduly cut short and terminated and concurrently denied the opportunity to live his life to the fullest.”
“The accused resorted to ferociously attacking Dumu, causing the latter’s demise, instead of relying on other non-lethal means of resolving the dispute being the older and mature adult of the two.
“This incident has somewhat caused faction, tension and bad relations among the occupants and members of Namuka Village, given that the deceased and accused are cousins.”
