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 Apisai Madigibuli, 27, who allegedly stabbed Kitiana Baravilala 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 not yet spoken to the DPP’s lawyers about the agreed facts and pre-trial checklist. He noted that despite having sent an email to arrange a meeting, he had not received a response from the State.
Mr. Gade requested that the case be heard earlier that week, as he would be on leave and unavailable until after September 16. In response, DPP lawyer Triveshni Sharma explained that the officer responsible for the case was out of the country and would return by August 20. Ms. Sharma also asked for another date for discussing preliminary issues, but Mr. Gade objected due to his upcoming absence.
Justice Tuiqereqere approved Mr. Gade’s application to submit voir dire grounds and expressed expectations that the pre-trial conference would proceed smoothly, with disclosures to be served by September 23.
Regarding bail, the defense communicated a change in the second surety and requested additional time to submit supplementary affidavits. Justice Tuiqereqere permitted Mr. Gade to have another attorney take charge of Mr. Madigibuli’s bail application. Furthermore, Ms. Sharma’s request to file a response within 14 days was also granted.