BY ROMINAH FAKA

A man found guilty of murder has been given the minimum of 15 years imprisonment before he can be eligible for parole.

The sentence was delivered to Jonathan Felega on November 29.

Felega was charged with one count of murder. He denied the charge and a trial was conducted before Judge John A Keniapisia from August 28-29.

Prosecution called two witnesses – Felega’s nephew and Dr Roy Maraka.

After crown completed their evidence, Felega opted to remain silent without calling any witness.

After trial court found Felega guilty and sentenced him to life imprisonment.

Counsels then filed submissions on the minimum term for parole.

Court heard that on August 11, 2023 Felega and his nephew went to Sagelua village to buy betel nut.

When they reached Sagelua village the accused drank some beers with other boys.

After that Felega told his nephew for them to go back to their village, Minisi.

On their way to Minisi village, they encountered the deceased.

The accused confronted the deceased, saying, “iu na killm mi ba? [weren’t you the one who had assaulted me the other time?].”

He got hold of a stick and struck the deceased on the back of the neck and on his right cheek which caused the deceased to fall to the ground.

Felega lifted the deceased and carried him to the edge of the cliff and threw the body down the cliff.

After that, they both went down the cliff to where the deceased lay.

The juvenile told the court that he saw blood come out of the deceased’s nose and his neck was twisted and broken.

Felega then carried the deceased and laid him near the base of a tree.

After that they went to the deceased’s brother’s house and Felega told them about the deceased having fallen off a cliff.

Director of Public Prosecution Andrew Kelesi acted for the crown and Ben Alasia acted for Felega.