The attorney representing a man accused of murdering his 25-year-old wife has not yet met with the Director of Public Prosecutions for a pre-trial conference. Paula Gade from the Legal Aid Office is defending 27-year-old Apisai Madigibuli, who is alleged to have fatally stabbed Kitiana Baravilala with a kitchen knife in a Suva apartment on April 25.
During a session at the High Court in Suva last Monday, Mr. Gade informed Justice Dane Tuiqereqere that he had yet to meet with DPP lawyers to discuss agreed facts and the pre-trial conference checklist. He mentioned he had reached out via email to arrange a meeting but had not received a reply from the State.
Mr. Gade requested that the matter be addressed earlier in the week as he would be on leave until after September 16. In response, DPP attorney Triveshni Sharma explained that the officer overseeing the case was currently out of the country and would return by August 20. Ms. Sharma also requested another date to address preliminary issues; however, Mr. Gade objected because of his upcoming absence.
Justice Tuiqereqere granted Mr. Gade’s request to submit voir dire grounds and expects the pre-trial conference preparations to be completed, along with voir dire disclosures by September 23. Concerning bail, the defense mentioned a change in the second surety and asked for time to submit supplementary affidavits. Justice Tuiqereqere also approved Mr. Gade’s request for another lawyer to manage Mr. Madigibuli’s bail application. Ms. Sharma’s request to file a response within 14 days was also granted.