A MAN accused of killing his wife has asked the High Court to acquit him because there is no case to answer, claiming he was forced to confess to the allegation.
Apisai Madigibuli, who is representing himself, also asked Justice Dane Tuiqereqere yesterday to disregard his caution interview where he admitted to planning the offence by purchasing the murder weapon months in advance.
This followed the State’s closing submission that Mr Madigibuli had a clear intention to kill his pregnant wife Kitiana Baravilala.
Prosecuting, principal legal officer Sadaf Shameem said Kitiana was stabbed multiple times in the neck and hands with a kitchen knife.
She said medical evidence showed the victim sustained severe injuries consistent with a violent attack using a kitchen knife. Ms Shameem said the force used was so great that the knife became lodged so deeply that it required assistance to remove after its tip hooked onto a bone.
In addition to the medical evidence, the State relied on Mr Madigibuli’s statement, which indicated premeditation, including admissions that he had planned the act by purchasing the knife months earlier.
Ms Shameem said the accused was not satisfied after the first strike, leading him to stab the victim multiple times.
The State argued these statements demonstrated a clear intent to kill and further submitted that he showed no remorse or empathy for the victim.
Addressing the issue of Mr Madigibuli’s detention beyond 48 hours, Ms Shameem said this was due to the circumstances of his arrest at the crime scene, which required concurrent investigations.
The matter will be called again for judgment on May 12.
