THE Prosecution has closed its case on Friday in the trial of the man who allegedly killed his girlfriend at the Tuvaruhu hill top in 2012.
The defence will start its case on Monday next week in the hearing before Chief Justice Sir Albert Palmer in the High Court.
Brian Schofield Baro Alagere is standing trial for the alleged murder of his girlfriend Flora Akwai on 24 September 2012.
He allegedly stabbed her, knocked her head with a stone before allegedly rolled her body downhill.
The deceased’s skeletal remains were found two weeks later by students on a picnic trip in the upper Mataniko area on October 9.
The court on Wednesday heard the evidence of the prosecution key witness John Sale, whom Alagere allegedly tried to put the blame on him.
Sale testified that on that day, Alagere came to him and asked him to go for a stroll with him.
He said he and Alagere went past the Jericho Mountain and when they were at the hill top at Tuvaruhu, Alagere made a phone call.
He said not long Flora arrived and he moved a distance away from Flora and Alagere.
Not long, he said he heard Flora shouted so he turned back and ran back and saw Brian was holding a knife.
“Brian stabbed her on her ribs,” he alleged.
He said he ran over to them but Brian told him he will also stab him so he ran back home.
Sale told the court that he was scared of Alagere and therefore did not tell anyone about what happened.
He said it was after when a body was found at Tuvaruhu that he thought it must be that girl, and Brian did it.
It was then that he went down to the Police Station and gave his statement.
The prosecution also called the parents of the deceased plus other witnesses, including a doctor and two police officers before closing its case.
The court earlier heard that Alagere and Flora were in a relationship and later engaged to be married.
But the court heard that Alagere and Flora’s relationship was prone to abuse.
As a result of that, Flora’s father and family did not want their daughter to continue in the relationship.
The accused allegedly assaulted the deceased psychically a number of times and violated her privacy on one occasion.
George Gray and Sevuloni Valenitabua of Public Solicitor’s Office are representing Alagere while State Prosecutor Miriam Manata and Rachael Olutumayin appeared for the Crown.
By ASSUMPTA BUCHANAN
