A seventh police officer has been charged for the death of Richard Mock in January of 2025.
Appearing at the Nadi Magistrate’s Court on Friday, Fenton Thaggard was charged with one count of manslaughter.
State lawyers requested the case be transferred to the High Court and for the accused to be further remanded.
Mr Thaggard is charged alongside fellow officers Shonal Shanesh Kumar, Abdul Saiban, Owen Brian Smith, Isikeli Nagilolevu, Ratu Peni Masara and Ratu Filimoni Yawayawa for their alleged involvement in Mock’s death.
It is alleged that between January 16 and January 17, 2025, in the Western Division, Mr Kumar and another officer assaulted Mock, causing his death.
Retired officer Abdul Saiban is charged as an accessory after the fact to manslaughter. According to the court, Mr Saiban allegedly assisted Mr Thaggard and Mr Kumar who, to his knowledge, had been involved in the commission of an offence against the victim to enable Mr Thaggard and Mr Kumar to escape punishment.
Mr Smith, Mr Nagilolevu, Mr Ranamu and Mr Yawayaw are jointly charged with one count of manslaughter arising from a breach of duty.
The case will be recalled in the High Court in Lautoka tomorrow.
