THE trial of high seas murder accused Tevita Qaqa Kapawale had to be halted due to inconsistency in one of the witnesses’ caution interviews.
Mitieli Cama, 53, was partially crossed examined yesterday before Justice Dane Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva.
Mr Kapawale is alleged to have murdered five crew members of the MV Tiro II on May 17, 2021.
While being cross-examined by defence lawyer Tobia Ravuniwa, Mr Cama denied that while the vessel was berthed somewhere in Nadroga prior the trip, small boats were coming to and from the vessel because the crew were conducting activities other than fishing.
However, he agreed when it was put to him that no one could survive more than two hours in the vessel’s fish hold — where he claimed he was hiding from the accused — because of the cold .
He insisted that he was able to survive the 55-hour ordeal because he was in one of the eight rooms within the fish hold which did not have any ice.
Mr Ravuniwa questioned him on the inconsistency of his police statements and his evidence on Friday.
In his police statement Mr Cama said no one could stay longer than two hours in the fish hold due to the cold and would need to come out every 30 minutes.
The lawyer then asked how it was possible to stay in the fishing hold for 55 hours. The witness replied saying he just didn’t know how he survived through that.
However, Mr Ravuniwa could not cross examine any further because the English translation of the transcript was not accurate.
Justice Tuiqereqere said it was best to adjourn the matter to allow the witness to watch the whole recorded caution interview to refresh his mind before giving evidence.
Deputy DPP John Rabuku was directed to fix the English translation of the transcript and was cautioned to refrain from having briefings with the witness.
The trial has been adjourned to January 27.
