Timoci Matanimeke, a twenty-year-old, faces sentencing for the brutal murder of 60-year-old Nitya Nand on Christmas Eve 2023. A conviction was secured this week for murder, aggravated robbery, and criminal trespass stemming from the violent attack on Nand at his home in Samabula, Suva.
The court revealed that Matanimeke entered Nand’s residence with the intention to commit theft. During the encounter, he assaulted Nand with a chopper, inflicting multiple wounds before fleeing with a Samsung mobile phone and a pair of safety boots. Nand succumbed to his injuries on January 5, 2024.
In court, the prosecution urged for a 20-year prison sentence, emphasizing the brutality of the attack and the premeditation involved, as Matanimeke was observed in the vicinity on two occasions prior to the crime. Additionally, the prosecution highlighted a lack of remorse shown by Matanimeke for his violent actions.
Matanimeke’s defense took into account his young age during the crime, arguing for alternative sentencing options and seeking a reduction based on the time he has already spent in custody awaiting trial.
The final decision on Matanimeke’s sentence will be delivered by the Suva High Court next Wednesday, a date that will bring significant closure to this tragic case. The anticipated sentencing underscores the gravity of violent crime and the legal system’s response to such acts in the community.
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