A SUVA sixth-former allegedly used three knives to kill a man who made unwanted sexual advances towards him instead of providing him a job, the High Court heard yesterday.
Prosecutor Bhavna Kantharia told the court that according to murder accused Rihaal Kumar’s caution interview, he was called by Sharuf Shaakir Khan with an offer of a job on July 7.
Ms Kantharia said the murder was premeditated because five days before the incident, the young man had bought a $5 dagger, which he gave his father to sharpen.
She said Kumar, 18, did not tell his father the reason for buying or sharpening the dagger.
She said he claimed the weapons were for self-defence, including a gallon of kerosene.
Presided by Justice Daniel Goundar, the court heard Khan was allegedly stabbed multiple times in the stomach, thigh, and back with a dagger and two kitchen knives in an apartment complex on Waimanu Rd where he was discovered by his brother-in-law.
Kumar was also found at the scene where he allegedly admitted to killing him so police were called.
When asked by the judge, Ms Kantharia said the prosecution has not established a motive yet, adding that they are waiting for the victim’s postmortem examination report.
Meanwhile, the court has granted the State’s application for a psychiatric evaluation to determine Kumar’s mental state at the time of the incident and his fitness to stand trial.
He has been further remanded in custody. A plea will be taken on August 29.
