The accused in the tragic murder of 16-year-old Salote Sikiti, Samuela Dasalusalu, has raised concerns during a hearing at the High Court in Suva. The 43-year-old claims he has been unable to take his prescribed medication at the remand centre due to reported side effects, which he asserts are essential for his well-being.
In front of Justice Daniel Goundar, Dasalusalu expressed that he feels significantly better when he is able to take his medication. Justice Goundar acknowledged the seriousness of these allegations but indicated uncertainty over their accuracy, prompting the prosecution to verify the situation with the remand centre.
Dasalusalu is accused of fatally attacking Sikiti with a cane knife as she was on her way home from a local shop, inflicting injuries that led to her death. Additionally, in court, he stated that he has no family in Suva and has not received any visitors since being remanded.
Previous psychiatric reports have raised questions regarding his mental fitness to stand trial, diagnosing him with schizophrenia. As a result, Justice Goundar has mandated a second psychiatric evaluation to assess whether Dasalusalu was mentally impaired at the time of the alleged crime. The proceedings for this case are set to continue on March 27.
This ongoing trial highlights the complexities of mental health within the legal system and raises discussions around the treatment of individuals with such conditions in custody.
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