A 21-year-old man has been found guilty of murdering a taxi driver in Nausori in 2021. Noeli Jack Tamanikaisau received the conviction from Justice Dane Tuiqereqere at the High Court in Suva on Wednesday.
Tamanikaisau was charged with one count of murder and one count of robbery in connection with the death of 60-year-old Satya Pillay on Qiolevu Road on September 26, three years ago. According to court documents, Tamanikaisau, who was 19 at the time, entered Pillay’s taxi and directed him to a secluded farm road where he strangled him.
After the murder, Tamanikaisau placed Pillay’s body in the trunk of the vehicle and drove away, subsequently leaving the victim’s naked body on the side of the road. He also faces charges of robbery for stealing Pillay’s mobile phone and $15 in cash.
Both the prosecution and defense have been instructed to submit their sentencing and mitigating statements by September 20. The proceedings will continue at the next court session, with the sentencing hearing for the murder conviction slated for October 1.